U.S. patent application number 12/917551 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-03 for automated emergency power supply test with variable, priority-based transfer times.
This patent application is currently assigned to Schneider Electric USA, Inc.. Invention is credited to Peter Cowan, John Charles Eggink, Martin A. Hancock, Markus F. Hirschbold.
Application Number | 20120109553 12/917551 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45997602 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120109553 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hancock; Martin A. ; et
al. |
May 3, 2012 |
AUTOMATED EMERGENCY POWER SUPPLY TEST WITH VARIABLE, PRIORITY-BASED
TRANSFER TIMES
Abstract
An automated emergency power supply system (EPSS) and testing
solution that records generator load values and engine exhaust
temperature values to evaluate whether an EPSS test satisfies
legislated test criteria. The EPSS test is carried out under
software control, which initiates a test by instructing an
automatic transfer switch (ATS) to change its status to a test
status, causing the essential loads to be powered by a generator
instead of a main utility power source. Power monitors record the
ATS and generator status during the test as well as electrical
parameter data from the ATS and generator and exhaust temperature
data and other engine parameter data from the generator. When the
test is concluded, the ATS is instructed to return the status to
normal so that power delivery is resumed from the main power
source. The electrical and engine parameter data is analyzed and
compared against legislated test criteria to determine a pass/fail
result of the EPSS test.
Inventors: |
Hancock; Martin A.;
(Victoria, CA) ; Hirschbold; Markus F.; (Victoria,
CA) ; Eggink; John Charles; (Brentwood, TN) ;
Cowan; Peter; (Victoria, CA) |
Assignee: |
Schneider Electric USA,
Inc.
Palatine
IL
|
Family ID: |
45997602 |
Appl. No.: |
12/917551 |
Filed: |
November 2, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
702/62 ;
324/764.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01R 31/42 20130101;
G01R 31/343 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
702/62 ;
324/764.01 |
International
Class: |
G06F 19/00 20110101
G06F019/00; G01R 31/40 20060101 G01R031/40 |
Claims
1. A method for automatically evaluating an emergency power supply
system (EPSS) that supplies alternate power to an electrical system
in the event of a disruption of power from a main utility power
source that normally supplies power to the electrical system, the
method comprising: receiving, over a network, operational status
information about a change of an operational status of an alternate
power source configured to supply alternate power to the electrical
system in the event of a disruption of power from the main utility
power source that normally supplies power to the electrical system;
storing the operational status information with a corresponding
timestamp indicating when the change of the operational status
occurred; receiving, over the network, and storing electrical
parameter data associated with the alternate power source and
measured by an intelligent electronic device that measures a
characteristic of power generated by the alternate power source and
that transforms the measured characteristic into the electrical
parameter data for communication over the network; receiving, over
the network, status information indicating a status of an automatic
transfer switch configured to switch power between the main utility
power source and the alternate power source; measuring, based on
the received operational status information and the received status
information, a transfer time corresponding to the amount of time
that elapsed for the automatic transfer switch to switch from a
normal status to a test status or an emergency status; determining
a priority level from among a plurality of priority levels
associated with the electrical system undergoing a test of the
EPSS; associating each of the priority levels with a corresponding
one of a plurality of predetermined transfer times, each of the
predetermined transfer times differing from one another;
determining whether the measured transfer time exceeded the
predetermined transfer time associated with the determined priority
level; and responsive to the measured transfer time exceeding the
predetermined transfer time associated with the determined priority
level, displaying an alarm indicating that the measured transfer
time exceeds the predetermined transfer time.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the priority levels include a low
priority level associated with non-critical electrical equipment in
a hospital powered by the electrical system, a medium priority
level associated with safety electrical equipment in the hospital,
and a high priority level associated with critical electrical
equipment in the hospital.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the alternate power source
includes an engine having a nameplate rating, the method further
comprising: receiving, over the network, engine parameter data
associated with the alternate power source, the engine parameter
data including exhaust temperature data indicative of an exhaust
temperature of the engine; instructing, over the network, the
automatic transfer switch to switch the status from a normal status
to a test status to initiate a test of the emergency power supply
system by temporarily connecting the electrical system to the
alternate power source for a predetermined period of time;
evaluating a result of the test based on at least the engine
parameter data; and responsive to the evaluating, displaying an
indication of an outcome of the result of the test.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the alternate power source is an
engine-generator (genset).
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: responsive to an
occurrence of a loss of power from the main utility power source:
storing second electrical parameter data associated with the
alternate power source and measured by the intelligent electronic
device during the loss of power; and evaluating, based on at least
the stored second electrical parameter data during the loss of
power from the main utility power source, whether the EPSS would
have passed at least one legislated test criterion associated with
the test of the EPSS.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising, responsive to the
occurrence of the loss of power, storing second engine parameter
data associated with the alternate power source, wherein the second
engine parameter data includes any one or more of an exhaust
temperature of the engine, a battery voltage of a battery in the
alternate power source, a coolant temperature or pressure of the
engine, a differential pressure across a fuel filter of the engine,
or a waveform associated with an output of the engine, and wherein
the evaluating whether the EPSS would have passed the legislated
test criterion is further based on the second engine parameter
data.
7. The method of claim 5, further comprising, responsive to the
occurrence of the loss of power, storing second engine parameter
data associated with the engine, wherein the second engine
parameter data includes an exhaust temperature of the engine, and
wherein the evaluating whether the emergency power supply system
would have passed the legislated test criterion is further based on
the exhaust temperature of the second engine parameter data.
8. The method of claim 5, further comprising, responsive to the
evaluating determining that the emergency power supply system would
have failed the legislated test criterion, communicating an alarm
indicating that the emergency power supply system would have failed
the legislated test criterion and at least one parameter associated
with the legislated test criterion that caused the EPSS to fail the
legislated test criterion associated with the test of the EPSS.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical system is a first
electrical system of a first installation, the method further
comprising: responsive to the alternate power source of the first
installation supplying power to the first electrical system,
receiving, over a network, and storing real-time operational and
parameter data associated with the EPS system of the first
installation, the operational and parameter data including the
electrical parameter data measured by the intelligent electronic
device; receiving an external operating parameter that is
independent from any real-time operational and parameter data
associated with the EPS system of the first installation; and
automatically generating a report based on at least the external
operating parameter.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the external operating parameter
includes operational and parameter data associated with a second
EPS system of a second installation that is distinct from the first
installation, the second installation having a second alternate
power source, the operational and parameter data associated with
the second installation including second electrical parameter data
associated with the second alternate power source and measured by a
second intelligent electronic device that measures a characteristic
of power generated by the second alternate power source and that
transforms the measured characteristic into the second electrical
parameter data for communication over a network, wherein the
automatically generating the report includes benchmarking the
operational and parameter data associated with the first
installation against the operational and parameter data associated
with the second installation, the method further including
displaying a comparison of the benchmarking.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the external operating parameter
includes at least two different report criteria associated with
different users of the first installation, wherein the
automatically generating the report includes: automatically
generating a first report based on the report criterion associated
with a first of the users of the first installation; and
automatically generating a second report based on the report
criterion associated with a second of the users of the first
installation, the first report and the second report reporting
different impacts on the first installation.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein: the first installation is a
hospital, the first user includes a medical care provider, the
impact reported by the first report includes an impact on patient
safety, the second user includes an administrator or manager of the
hospital other than the medical care provider, the impact reported
by the second report includes an impact on energy-consumption costs
responsive to a passing of the EPS system.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein responsive to the passing of
the EPS system, the report further includes a recommendation to
shed a load or loads in the first electrical system to generate
savings in the energy-consumption costs of the hospital.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the impact reported by the
second report includes an impact on potential legal liability of
the hospital responsive to a failure of the EPS system.
15. The method of claim 9, wherein the external operating parameter
includes a hypothetical set of operational and parameter data
associated with a new alternate power source, the method further
comprising: evaluating the stored operational and parameter data to
test a health of the alternate power source to produce a test
result indicating the health of the alternate power source;
determining whether the test result would change if the new
alternate power source were installed by evaluating the
hypothetical set of operational and parameter data to test the
health of the new alternate power source; and including in the
report an indication as to whether changing to the new alternate
power source would change the test result.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the hypothetical set of
operational and parameter data includes a nameplate rating of the
new alternate power source and recommended limits specified by a
manufacturer of the new alternate power source.
17. A system for automatically testing an emergency power supply
system (EPSS) that supplies alternate power to an electrical system
in the event of a disruption of power from a main utility power
source that normally supplies power to the electrical system, the
system comprising: an alternate power source having an engine and
configured to supply alternate power to the electrical system in
the event of a disruption of power from the main utility power
source that normally supplies power to the electrical system; a
network; an intelligent electronic device that measures a
characteristic of power generated by the alternate power source and
that transforms the measured characteristic into corresponding
electrical parameter data for communication over the network; an
automatic transfer switch operable to disconnect the electrical
system from the main utility power source and to connect the
electrical system to the alternate power source; and a computing
device communicatively coupled to the network and configured to:
receive the engine parameter data and the electrical parameter data
over the network; receive, over the network, operational status
information about a change of an operational status of the
alternate power source and cause the operational status information
with a corresponding timestamp to be stored; receive, over the
network, status information indicating a status of the automatic
transfer switch; instruct, over the network, the automatic transfer
switch to switch the status from a normal status to a test status
to initiate a test of the emergency power supply system by
temporarily disconnecting the electrical system from the main
utility power source and connecting the electrical system to the
alternate power source for a predetermined period of time; measure,
based on the operational status information and the status
information, a transfer time corresponding to the amount of time
that elapsed for the automatic transfer switch to switch from a
normal status to a test status or an emergency status; determine a
priority level from among a plurality of priority levels associated
with the electrical system undergoing the test; associate each of
the priority levels with a corresponding one of a plurality of
distinct, predetermined transfer times; determine whether the
measured transfer time exceeded the predetermined transfer time
associated with the determined priority level; and responsive to
the measured transfer time exceeding the predetermined transfer
time associated with the determined priority level, causing an
alarm indicating that the measured transfer time exceeds the
predetermined transfer time to be displayed.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the priority levels include a
low priority level associated with non-critical electrical
equipment in a hospital powered by the electrical system, a medium
priority level associated with safety electrical equipment in the
hospital, and a high priority level associated with critical
electrical equipment in the hospital, and wherein the alternate
power source is an engine-generator (genset).
19. The system of claim 17, further comprising: a temperature
sensor positioned to measure an exhaust temperature of the engine,
the temperature sensor producing corresponding engine parameter
data indicative of the measured exhaust temperature, wherein the
computing device is further configured to: evaluate a result of the
test based on the engine parameter data; and cause an indication of
an outcome of the result of the test to be displayed.
20. The system of claim 17, wherein the computing device is further
configured to: determine whether a loss of power from the main
utility power source has occurred, and if so, store second
electrical parameter data associated with the alternate power
source and measured by the intelligent electronic device during the
loss of power and evaluate, based on the second electrical
parameter data stored during the loss of power, whether the EPSS
would have passed a legislated test criterion associated with the
test of the EPSS.
21. A computer program product, comprising one or more
non-transitory tangible media having a computer readable program
logic embodied therein, the computer readable program logic
configured to be executed to implement a method for automatically
evaluating an emergency power supply system (EPSS) that supplies
alternate power to an electrical system in the event of a
disruption of power from a main utility power source that normally
supplies power to the electrical system, the method comprising:
receiving, over a network, operational status information about a
change of an operational status of an alternate power source
configured to supply alternate power to the electrical system in
the event of a disruption of power from the main utility power
source that normally supplies power to the electrical system;
storing the operational status information with a corresponding
timestamp indicating when the change of the operational status
occurred; receiving, over the network, and storing electrical
parameter data associated with the alternate power source and
measured by an intelligent electronic device that measures a
characteristic of power generated by the alternate power source and
that transforms the measured characteristic into the electrical
parameter data for communication over the network; receiving, over
the network, status information indicating a status of an automatic
transfer switch configured to switch power between the main utility
power source and the alternate power source; measuring, based on
the received operational status information and the received status
information, a transfer time corresponding to the amount of time
that elapsed for the automatic transfer switch to switch from a
normal status to a test status or an emergency status; determining
a priority level from among a plurality of priority levels
associated with the electrical system undergoing a test of the
EPSS; associating each of the priority levels with a corresponding
one of a plurality of predetermined transfer times, each of the
predetermined transfer times differing from one another;
determining whether the measured transfer time exceeded the
predetermined transfer time associated with the determined priority
level; and responsive to the measured transfer time exceeding the
predetermined transfer time associated with the determined priority
level, displaying an alarm indicating that the measured transfer
time exceeds the predetermined transfer time.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to automated
emergency power supply systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is not uncommon for back-up generation to fail in the
case of an emergency due to insufficient testing and maintenance.
In some cases, nominal run tests can actually create problems
within the gensets that can affect operation in a true emergency
situation (like wet stacking, where unburned fuel or carbon builds
up in the exhaust system when the generator run times are too short
or the test is performed outside recommended operating
parameters).
[0003] The challenge is that comprehensive manual tests are
difficult to coordinate and it is equally hard to effectively
measure results. There are major challenges for multiple
stakeholders in the hospital, including medical personnel, facility
personnel, and the hospital administration. In short, manual
testing of EPS systems is costly and inefficient.
[0004] The testing of emergency power supply systems (EPSS) in
hospitals, data centers, and other critical buildings plays an
essential role to ensure backup power is available when needed.
This testing is usually done weekly or monthly and depending on the
jurisdiction, different regulatory bodies dictate the parameters of
the test. Most commonly, diesel engines are used as prime movers
for emergency power supply generators. While diesel engines are
known for their reliability and fuel efficiency, it is critical
that the testing is carried out within certain limits to make sure
that the reliability is increased rather than decreased as a result
of the testing.
[0005] Traditionally, EPSS testing has been carried out using stop
watches and manual recording of test parameters. Manual test
procedures are time-consuming and tie up a significant number of
personnel. Ignoring actual generator operating temperatures can
lead to a wet-stacking condition, in which the presence of unburned
fuel or carbon in the exhaust system of a generator can result in
black smoke being emitted while the engine is running. Wet-stacking
can occur over a prolonged period by running the engine at low
loads, allowing the engine to idle during a test, or installing an
oversized engine. Eventually, irreversible engine damage can
occur.
[0006] Improper or incomplete EPSS testing can lead to a
significant loss of revenue for a hospital or critical building,
or, at worst, to a loss of human life. What is needed is an
automated EPSS system that avoids these and other problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Automated EPSS testing increases reliability due to the
accurate monitoring and recording of test parameters, it provides
traceability in case of unanticipated problems with the EPS system
or litigation, and it helps to reduce the staffing burden for such
tests, among other advantages. A goal of automated EPSS testing is
to increase the overall reliability of the EPS system and to reduce
the odds of failure under emergency situations.
[0008] Automated testing and monitoring helps identify EPSS
problems during testing rather than during emergency situations. By
pointing out problem areas during tests, the EPS system's overall
mean time between failures (MTBF) can be improved. It is important
to ensure that any testing or EPSS operation is performed within
the intended operating parameters. This can be achieved by
continuously monitoring the EPS system and electronically measuring
and recording all relevant automatic transfer switch (ATS),
engine-generator (genset) and related parameters, such as transfer
times, engine loading, engine temperature, exhaust gas temperature,
and oil pressure.
[0009] Air and fuel are other important elements for the reliable
operation of a facility. It is important to follow a proper
maintenance schedule. A system that includes dual redundant fuel
lines and filters is a significant benefit in critical applications
where long runtimes must be supported. This is so that fuel lines
and filters can be isolated and changed while the engine remains
running. Proactive monitoring of these filters is done with
differential pressure indicators. They show the pressure difference
across a filter or between two fuel lines during engine operation.
When applied to air filters, these proactive monitoring devices are
known as air-restrict indicators. They provide an indication of the
need to replace a dry-type intake air filter while the engine is
running. Both pressure drop indicators can be electronically
monitored by the EPSS test automation system for long term trending
and analysis, but also for alarming while the generator is running,
for a test or for emergency operation.
[0010] Battery health monitoring is another important factor, which
can affect the ability for the engine to start. Simply checking the
terminal voltage of the batteries is not sufficient to monitor
their ability to deliver adequate cranking power. As batteries age,
their internal resistance to current flow can increase, and the
only reliable test method is to measure the output voltage under
load. This test can also be performed by an automated EPSS test
system. Having electronic records of the parameters discussed above
makes it possible to analyze long-term trends using sophisticated
computerized reporting methodologies. For example, a very gradual
increase in transfer times (over the period of a year or more) may
suggest that maintenance is required. Or, an abnormal drop in
battery voltage during engine cranking may indicate that it is time
to replace the batteries. Some of these trends may be very subtle
and gradual, and often cannot be detected by manual data collection
methods.
[0011] Also, by continuously monitoring the EPS system, alarms can
be triggered if the EPS system is operated outside its intended
parameters for prolonged periods of time to avoid reliability
threats such as wet stacking, clogged fuel filters or tired
batteries. Further, transfer switches and circuit breakers require
exercising and mechanical maintenance at regular intervals to
assure they operate as intended. Having precise electronic records
of the exact times when these devices have been exercised makes it
easy to determine when they are due for their next exercising
operation.
[0012] In the US, for example, hospitals are required to follow
NFPA 99 and 110, which prescribe that EPS systems have to be tested
at least 12 times a year, every 20 to 40 days, for a minimum of 30
minutes at the manufacturer's recommended exhaust gas temperature
or at a minimum load of 30% of the genset's rating. An automated
EPSS test solution makes it straightforward to prove conformance to
legislative test procedures and requirements.
[0013] In Europe, IEC 60364-7-710 prescribes that changeover
devices are to be functionally tested every 12 months. Genset
combustion engines are to be tested monthly until rated running
temperature is achieved with an additional 60-minute annual
endurance test. In all cases at least 50% to 100% of the rated
power shall be applied. At the same time, hospitals are required to
keep precise maintenance and test records for presentation to
regulating authorities, or for traceability to determine what
happened in the system after improperly functioning or system
failure. In the case of system failure, despite proper testing, it
is important to have access to detailed electronic data which
facilitates sequence of event or cause and effect studies.
[0014] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method
is disclosed for automatically testing an emergency power supply
system (EPSS) that supplies alternate power to an electrical system
in the event of a disruption of power from a main utility power
source that normally supplies power to the electrical system. The
method includes: receiving, over the network, engine parameter data
associated with an alternate power source. The engine parameter
data includes exhaust temperature data indicative of an exhaust
temperature of the engine. The alternate power source is configured
to supply alternate power to the electrical system in the event of
a disruption of power from the main utility power source that
normally supplies power to the electrical system. The method
further includes instructing, over the network the automatic
transfer switch to switch the status from a normal status to a test
status to initiate a test of the emergency power supply system by
temporarily disconnecting the electrical system from the main
utility power source and connecting the electrical system to the
alternate power source for a predetermined period of time. The
method further includes evaluating a result of the test based on at
least the engine parameter data, and responsive to the evaluating,
displaying an indication of an outcome of the result of the
test.
[0015] The method can further include receiving, over a network,
operational status information about a change of an operational
status of an alternate power source having an engine, which has a
nameplate rating; storing the operational status information with a
corresponding timestamp indicating when the change of the
operational status occurred; receiving, over the network, status
information indicating a status of an automatic transfer switch
configured to switch power between the main utility power source
and the alternate power source. The evaluating the result can be
further based on the operational status information and the status
information, and wherein the outcome includes a pass or a fail.
[0016] The exhaust temperature data can include a plurality of
exhaust temperature values measured by a temperature sensor during
the test. The result can include the plurality of exhaust
temperature values. The evaluating can include determining whether
the exhaust temperature values exceed a minimum temperature during
at least part of the predetermined period of time of the test. The
operational status can include a running status indicating that the
engine is running, a started status indicating that the engine is
started, or a stopped status indicating that the engine is stopped.
The status of the ATS can include the test status, the normal
status in which the main utility power source supplies power to the
electrical system, or an emergency status in which the alternate
power source supplies power to the electrical system.
[0017] The evaluating the result can include determining whether
the operational status information corresponds to the running
status during the predetermined period of time, whether the status
information corresponds to the test status indicating that the
alternate power source supplied power to the electrical system
during the predetermined period of time. The method can further
include receiving, over the network, and storing electrical
parameter data associated with the alternate power source and
measured by an intelligent electronic device that measures a
characteristic of power generated by the alternate power source and
that transforms the measured characteristic into the electrical
parameter data for communication over the network. The evaluating
the result can be further based on the stored electrical parameter
data.
[0018] The evaluating can be further based on a load percentage of
the nameplate rating. The load percentage can be calculated from
the electrical parameter data during the test. The result can
include a plurality of load percentage values calculated from the
electrical parameter data during the predetermined period of time.
The evaluating can include determining whether the plurality of
load percentage values exceed a predetermined load percentage value
of the nameplate rating during at least part of the predetermined
period of time. The engine parameter data can further include any
one or more of a battery voltage of a battery in the alternate
power source, a coolant temperature or pressure of the engine, or a
differential pressure across a fuel filter of the engine, and
wherein the alternate power source is an engine-generator
(genset).
[0019] Responsive to an occurrence of a loss of power from the main
utility power source, the method can further include: storing
second electrical parameter data associated with the alternate
power source and measured by the intelligent electronic device; and
evaluating, based on at least the stored second electrical
parameter data during the loss of power from the main utility power
source, whether the EPSS would have passed at least one legislated
test criterion associated with a test of the EPSS. The evaluating
whether the EPSS would have passed at least one legislated test
criterion can include determining whether a plurality of load
percentage values in the second electrical parameter data exceed
the predetermined load percentage value of the nameplate rating
during at least part of the predetermined period of time. The
legislated test criterion can be determined by a requirement set
forth in a code or a standard of the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA), the Health Technical Memorandum (HTM), the
Canadian Standards Association (CSA), the Australian/New Zealand
Standard (AS/NZS), or the International Electrotechnical Commission
(IEC).
[0020] Responsive to the occurrence of the loss of power, the
method can further include storing second engine parameter data
associated with the alternate power source. The second engine
parameter data can include any one or more of an exhaust
temperature of the engine, a battery voltage of a battery in the
alternate power source, a coolant temperature or pressure of the
engine, a differential pressure across a fuel filter of the engine,
or a waveform associated with an output of the engine. The
evaluating whether the EPSS would have passed the legislated test
criterion can be further based on the second engine parameter
data.
[0021] Responsive to the occurrence of the loss of power, the
method can further include storing second engine parameter data
associated with the engine. The second engine parameter data can
include an exhaust temperature of the engine. The evaluating
whether the emergency power supply system would have passed the
legislated test criterion can be further based on the second engine
parameter data.
[0022] Responsive to the evaluating determining that the emergency
power supply system would have failed the legislated test
criterion, the method can further include communicating an alarm
indicating that the emergency power supply system would have failed
the legislated test criterion and at least one parameter associated
with the legislated test criterion that caused the EPSS to fail the
legislated test criterion associated with the test of the EPSS.
[0023] The electrical system can be a first electrical system of a
first installation. The method can further include: responsive to
the alternate power source of the first installation supplying
power to the first electrical system, receiving, over a network,
and storing real-time operational and parameter data associated
with the EPS system of the first installation. The operational and
parameter data can include electrical parameter data associated
with the alternate power source and measured by an intelligent
electronic device that measures a characteristic of power generated
by the alternate power source and that transforms the measured
characteristic into the electrical parameter data for communication
over the network. The method can further include: receiving an
external operating parameter that is independent from any real-time
operational and parameter data associated with the EPS system of
the first installation; and automatically generating a report based
on at least the external operating parameter.
[0024] The external operating parameter can include operational and
parameter data associated with a second EPS system of a second
installation that is distinct from the first installation. The
second installation can include a second alternate power source.
The operational and parameter data associated with the second
installation can include second electrical parameter data
associated with the second alternate power source and measured by a
second intelligent electronic device that measures a characteristic
of power generated by the second alternate power source and that
transforms the measured characteristic into the second electrical
parameter data for communication over a network. The automatically
generating the report can include benchmarking the operational and
parameter data associated with the first installation against the
operational and parameter data associated with the second
installation. The method can further include displaying a
comparison of the benchmarking.
[0025] The external operating parameter can include at least two
different report criteria associated with different users of the
first installation. The automatically generating the report can
include: automatically generating a first report based on the
report criterion associated with a first of the users of the first
installation; and automatically generating a second report based on
the report criterion associated with a second of the users of the
first installation. The first report and the second report can
report different impacts on the first installation.
[0026] The method of the first installation can be a hospital. The
first user can be a medical care provider. The impact reported by
the first report can include an impact on patient safety. The
second user can be an administrator or manager of the hospital
other than the medical care provider. The impact reported by the
second report can include an impact on energy-consumption costs
responsive to a passing of the EPS system.
[0027] Responsive to the passing of the EPS system, the report can
further include a recommendation to shed a load or loads in the
first electrical system to generate savings in the
energy-consumption costs of the hospital. The impact reported by
the second report can include an impact on potential legal
liability of the hospital responsive to a failure of the EPS
system.
[0028] The external operating parameter can include a hypothetical
set of operational and parameter data associated with a new
alternate power source. The method can further include evaluating
the stored operational and parameter data to test a health of the
alternate power source to produce a test result indicating the
health of the alternate power source. The method can further
include determining whether the test result would change if the new
alternate power source were installed by evaluating the
hypothetical set of operational and parameter data to test the
health of the new alternate power source. The method can further
include including in the report an indication as to whether
changing to the new alternate power source would change the test
result. The hypothetical set of operational and parameter data can
include a nameplate rating of the new alternate power source and
recommended limits specified by a manufacturer of the new alternate
power source.
[0029] The evaluating the result of the test can include
determining, responsive to the instructing, a transfer time
associated with switching the power from the main utility power
source to the alternate power source based on the received
operational status information and the received status information.
Any of the methods disclosed herein can be performed by a computing
device according to instructions encoded in a computer program
stored on a non-transitory tangible medium.
[0030] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a
system is disclosed for automatically testing an emergency power
supply system (EPSS) that supplies alternate power to an electrical
system in the event of a disruption of power from a main utility
power source that normally supplies power to the electrical system.
The system includes: an alternate power source having an engine and
configured to supply alternate power to the electrical system in
the event of a disruption of power from the main utility power
source that normally supplies power to the electrical system; a
network; and a sensor positioned to sense an exhaust temperature of
the engine. The system further includes an automatic transfer
switch operable to disconnect the electrical system from the main
utility power source and to connect the electrical system to the
alternate power source. The system further includes a computing
device communicatively coupled to the network and configured to
receive engine parameter data indicative of the exhaust temperature
over the network, instruct, over the network, the automatic
transfer switch to switch the status from a normal status to a test
status to initiate a test of the emergency power supply system by
temporarily disconnecting the electrical system from the main
utility power source and connecting the electrical system to the
alternate power source for a predetermined period of time. The
computing device is further configured to evaluate a result of the
test based on the engine parameter data and display an indication
of an outcome of the result of the test.
[0031] The system can further include an intelligent electronic
device that measures a characteristic of power generated by the
alternate power source and that transforms the measured
characteristic into corresponding electrical parameter data for
communication over the network. The computing device can be further
configured to receive the electrical parameter data over the
network; receive, over the network, status information indicating a
status of the automatic transfer switch; and calculate a load
percentage of a nameplate rating of the engine from the electrical
parameter data during the test. The result of the test can be
evaluated based on the load percentage. The outcome can include a
pass or a fail.
[0032] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a
computer program product is disclosed. The computer product
includes one or more non-transitory tangible media having a
computer readable program logic embodied therein. The computer
readable program logic is configured to be executed to implement a
method for automatically testing an emergency power supply system
(EPSS) that supplies alternate power to an electrical system in the
event of a disruption of power from a main utility power source
that normally supplies power to the electrical system. The method
includes receiving, over the network, engine parameter data
associated with an alternate power source. The engine parameter
data includes exhaust temperature data indicative of an exhaust
temperature of the engine. The alternate power source is configured
to supply alternate power to the electrical system in the event of
a disruption of power from the main utility power source that
normally supplies power to the electrical system. The method
further includes instructing, over the network, the automatic
transfer switch to switch the status from a normal status to a test
status to initiate a test of the emergency power supply system by
temporarily disconnecting the electrical system from the main
utility power source and connecting the electrical system to the
alternate power source for a predetermined period of time. The
method further includes evaluating a result of the test based on at
least the engine parameter data, and responsive to the evaluating,
displaying an indication of an outcome of the result of the
test.
[0033] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a
method is disclosed for automatically testing an emergency power
supply system (EPSS) that supplies alternate power to an electrical
system in the event of a disruption of power from a main utility
power source that normally supplies power to the electrical system.
The method includes receiving, over the network, and storing
electrical parameter data associated with an alternate power source
and measured by an intelligent electronic device that measures a
characteristic of power generated by the alternate power source and
that transforms the measured characteristic into the electrical
parameter data for communication over the network, the alternate
power source being configured to supply alternate power to the
electrical system in the event of a disruption of power from the
main utility power source that normally supplies power to the
electrical system. The method includes receiving, over the network,
engine parameter data associated with an engine of the alternate
power source, and receiving a test parameter selection indicating
one or more parameters to be used in testing the emergency power
supply system. The method includes instructing, over the network,
an automatic transfer switch to switch from a normal mode to a test
mode to initiate a test of the emergency power supply system by
temporarily disconnecting the electrical system from the main
utility power source and connecting the electrical system to the
alternate power source for a predetermined period of time.
Responsive to the test parameter selection indicating that the
electrical parameter data is to be used in testing the emergency
power supply system, the method includes evaluating a result of the
test based on at least the electrical parameter data including
determining a percentage of a load of the electrical system
relative to the nameplate rating of the engine. Responsive to the
test parameter selection indicating that the engine parameter data
is to be used in testing the emergency power supply system, the
method includes evaluating a result of the test based on at least
the engine parameter data, and, responsive to the evaluating,
displaying an indication of an outcome of the result of the
test.
[0034] Responsive to the test parameter selection indicating that
the electrical parameter data and the engine parameter data are to
be used in testing the emergency power supply system, the method
can further include evaluating a result of the test based on at
least the electrical parameter data and the engine parameter data.
The result of the test can include a pass indicating that at a
legislated test criterion associated with the test of the EPSS is
satisfied and a fail indicating that the legislated test criterion
is not satisfied. The legislated test criterion can be determined
by a requirement set forth in a code or a standard of the National
Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the Health Technical Memorandum
(HTM), the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), the Australian/New
Zealand Standard (AS/NZS), or the International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC). The engine parameter data can further include any
one or more of an exhaust temperature of the engine, a battery
voltage of a battery in the alternate power source, a coolant
temperature or pressure of the engine, or a differential pressure
across a fuel filter of the engine. The alternate power source can
be an engine-generator (genset).
[0035] The method can include receiving, over a network,
operational status information about a change of an operational
status of the alternate power source. The method can include
storing the operational status information with a corresponding
timestamp indicating when the change of the operational status
occurred. The method can include receiving, over the network,
status information indicating a status of the automatic transfer
switch configured to switch power between the main utility power
source and the alternate power source. The evaluating the result of
the test can include determining, responsive to the instructing, a
transfer time associated with switching the power from the main
utility power source to the alternate power source based on the
received operational status information and the received status
information.
[0036] Responsive to an occurrence of a loss of power from the main
utility power source, the method can further include: storing
second electrical parameter data associated with the alternate
power source and measured by the intelligent electronic device
during the loss of power; and evaluating, based on at least the
stored second electrical parameter data during the loss of power
from the main utility power source, whether the EPSS would have
passed at least one legislated test criterion associated with the
test of the EPSS. Responsive to the occurrence of the loss of
power, the method can further include storing second engine
parameter data associated with the alternate power source. The
second engine parameter data can include any one or more of an
exhaust temperature of the engine, a battery voltage of a battery
in the alternate power source, a coolant temperature or pressure of
the engine, a differential pressure across a fuel filter of the
engine, or a waveform associated with an output of the engine. The
evaluating whether the EPSS would have passed the legislated test
criterion can be further based on the second engine parameter
data.
[0037] Responsive to the occurrence of the loss of power, the
method can further include storing second engine parameter data
associated with the engine. The second engine parameter data can
include an exhaust temperature of the engine. The evaluating
whether the emergency power supply system would have passed the
legislated test criterion can be further based on the second engine
parameter data. Responsive to the evaluating determining that the
emergency power supply system would have failed the legislated test
criterion, the method can further include communicating an alarm
indicating that the emergency power supply system would have failed
the legislated test criterion and at least one parameter associated
with the legislated test criterion that caused the EPSS to fail the
legislated test criterion associated with the test of the EPSS.
[0038] The electrical system can be a first electrical system of a
first installation. The method can further include, responsive to
the alternate power source of the first installation supplying
power to the first electrical system, receiving, over a network,
and storing real-time operational and parameter data associated
with the EPS system of the first installation. The operational and
parameter data can include electrical parameter data associated
with the alternate power source and measured by an intelligent
electronic device that measures a characteristic of power generated
by the alternate power source and that transforms the measured
characteristic into the electrical parameter data for communication
over the network. The method can further include receiving an
external operating parameter that is independent from any real-time
operational and parameter data associated with the EPS system of
the first installation, and automatically generating a report based
on at least the external operating parameter.
[0039] The external operating parameter can include operational and
parameter data associated with a second EPS system of a second
installation that is distinct from the first installation, the
second installation having a second alternate power source. The
operational and parameter data associated with the second
installation can include second electrical parameter data
associated with the second alternate power source and measured by a
second intelligent electronic device that measures a characteristic
of power generated by the second alternate power source and that
transforms the measured characteristic into the second electrical
parameter data for communication over a network. The automatically
generating the report can include benchmarking the operational and
parameter data associated with the first installation against the
operational and parameter data associated with the second
installation. The method can further include displaying a
comparison of the benchmarking.
[0040] The external operating parameter can include at least two
different report criteria associated with different users of the
first installation. The automatically generating the report can
include automatically generating a first report based on the report
criterion associated with a first of the users of the first
installation, and automatically generating a second report based on
the report criterion associated with a second of the users of the
first installation. The first report and the second report can
report different impacts on the first installation.
[0041] The first installation can be a hospital. The first user can
be a medical care provider. The impact reported by the first report
can include an impact on patient safety. The second user can
include an administrator or manager of the hospital other than the
medical care provider. The impact reported by the second report can
include an impact on energy-consumption costs responsive to a
passing of the EPS system.
[0042] Responsive to the passing of the EPS system, the report can
further include a recommendation to shed a load or loads in the
first electrical system to generate savings in the
energy-consumption costs of the hospital. The impact reported by
the second report can include an impact on potential legal
liability of the hospital responsive to a failure of the EPS
system.
[0043] The external operating parameter can include a hypothetical
set of operational and parameter data associated with a new
alternate power source. The method can further include evaluating
the stored operational and parameter data to test a health of the
alternate power source to produce a test result indicating the
health of the alternate power source. The method can further
include: determining whether the test result would change if the
new alternate power source were installed by evaluating the
hypothetical set of operational and parameter data to test the
health of the new alternate power source; and including in the
report an indication as to whether changing to the new alternate
power source would change the test result. The hypothetical set of
operational and parameter data can include a nameplate rating of
the new alternate power source and recommended limits specified by
a manufacturer of the new alternate power source.
[0044] According to a still further aspect of the present
disclosure, a system is provided for automatically testing an
emergency power supply system (EPSS) that supplies alternate power
to an electrical system in the event of a disruption of power from
a main utility power source that normally supplies power to the
electrical system. The system includes an alternate power source
having an engine and configured to supply alternate power to the
electrical system in the event of a disruption of power from the
main utility power source that normally supplies power to the
electrical system. The system further includes a network and an
intelligent electronic device that measures a characteristic of
power generated by the alternate power source and that transforms
the measured characteristic into corresponding electrical parameter
data for communication over the network. The system further
includes an automatic transfer switch operable to switch power
delivered to the electrical system between the main utility power
source and the alternate power source. The system further includes
a computing device communicatively coupled to the network and
configured to: receive a test parameter selection indicating one or
more parameters to be used in testing the emergency power supply
system; receive (a) engine parameter data associated with the
engine and (b) the electrical parameter data over the network;
instruct, over the network, the automatic transfer switch to switch
the status from a normal status to a test status to initiate a test
of the emergency power supply system by temporarily disconnecting
the electrical system from the main utility power source and
connecting the electrical system to the alternate power source for
a predetermined period of time; determine whether the test
parameter selection indicates that the electrical parameter data is
to be used in testing the EPSS, and if so, evaluate a result of the
test based on the electrical parameter data by determining a
percentage of a load of the electrical system relative to a
nameplate rating of the engine; determine whether the test
parameter selection indicates that the engine parameter data is to
be used in testing the EPSS, and if so, evaluate a result of the
test based on the engine parameter data; and display an indication
of an outcome of the result of the test.
[0045] The computing device can be further configured to determine
whether the test parameter selection indicates that the electrical
parameter data and the engine parameter data are to be used in
testing the EPSS, and if so, evaluate a result of the test based on
the electrical parameter data and the engine parameter data. The
result of the test can include a pass indicating that at a
legislated test criterion associated with the test of the EPSS is
satisfied and a fail indicating that the legislated test criterion
is not satisfied. The legislated test criterion can be determined
by a requirement set forth in a code or a standard of the National
Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the Health Technical Memorandum
(HTM), the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), the Australian/New
Zealand Standard (AS/NZS), or the International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC). The engine parameter data can further include any
one or more of an exhaust temperature of the engine, a battery
voltage of a battery in the alternate power source, a coolant
temperature or pressure of the engine, or a differential pressure
across a fuel filter of the engine, and the alternate power source
is an engine-generator (genset).
[0046] The computing device can be further configured to determine
whether a loss of power from the main utility power source has
occurred, and if so, store second electrical parameter data
associated with the alternate power source and measured by the
intelligent electronic device during the loss of power and
evaluate, based on the second electrical parameter data stored
during the loss of power, whether the EPSS would have passed a
legislated test criterion associated with the test of the EPSS.
[0047] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a
computer program product is provided that includes one or more
non-transitory tangible media having a computer readable program
logic embodied therein, The computer readable program logic is
configured to be executed to implement a method for automatically
testing an emergency power supply system (EPSS) that supplies
alternate power to an electrical system in the event of a
disruption of power from a main utility power source that normally
supplies power to the electrical system. The implemented method
includes receiving, over the network, and storing electrical
parameter data associated with an alternate power source and
measured by an intelligent electronic device that measures a
characteristic of power generated by the alternate power source and
that transforms the measured characteristic into the electrical
parameter data. The alternate power source can be configured to
supply alternate power to the electrical system in the event of a
disruption of power from the main utility power source that
normally supplies power to the electrical system. The method
further includes receiving, over the network, engine parameter data
associated with an engine of the alternate power source, receiving
a test parameter selection indicating one or more parameters to be
used in testing the emergency power supply system. The method
further includes instructing, over the network, an automatic
transfer switch to switch from a normal mode to a test mode to
initiate a test of the emergency power supply system by temporarily
disconnecting the electrical system from the main utility power
source and connecting the electrical system to the alternate power
source for a predetermined period of time. Responsive to the test
parameter selection indicating that the electrical parameter data
is to be used in testing the emergency power supply system, the
method further includes evaluating a result of the test based on at
least the electrical parameter data. Responsive to the test
parameter selection indicating that the engine parameter data is to
be used in testing the emergency power supply system, the method
further includes evaluating a result of the test based on at least
the engine parameter data. Responsive to the evaluating, the method
includes displaying an indication of an outcome of the result of
the test.
[0048] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a
method is provided for automatically evaluating an emergency power
supply system (EPSS) that supplies alternate power to an electrical
system in the event of a disruption of power from a main utility
power source that normally supplies power to the electrical system.
The method includes receiving, over a network, operational status
information about a change of an operational status of an alternate
power source configured to supply alternate power to the electrical
system in the event of a disruption of power from the main utility
power source that normally supplies power to the electrical system.
The method further includes storing the operational status
information with a corresponding timestamp indicating when the
change of the operational status occurred. The method further
includes receiving, over the network, and storing electrical
parameter data associated with the alternate power source and
measured by an intelligent electronic device that measures a
characteristic of power generated by the alternate power source and
that transforms the measured characteristic into the electrical
parameter data for communication over the network. The method
further includes receiving, over the network, status information
indicating a status of an automatic transfer switch configured to
switch power between the main utility power source and the
alternate power source. The method further includes measuring,
based on the received operational status information and the
received status information, a transfer time corresponding to the
amount of time that elapsed for the automatic transfer switch to
switch from a normal status to a test status or an emergency
status. The method further includes determining a priority level
from among a plurality of priority levels associated with the
electrical system undergoing a test of the EPSS, associating each
of the priority levels with a corresponding one of a plurality of
predetermined transfer times, each of the predetermined transfer
times differing from one another. The method includes determining
whether the measured transfer time exceeded the predetermined
transfer time associated with the determined priority level; and
responsive to the measured transfer time exceeding the
predetermined transfer time associated with the determined priority
level, displaying an alarm indicating that the measured transfer
time exceeds the predetermined transfer time.
[0049] The priority levels can include a low priority level
associated with non-critical electrical equipment in a hospital
powered by the electrical system, a medium priority level
associated with safety electrical equipment in the hospital, and a
high priority level associated with critical electrical equipment
in the hospital. The alternate power source can include an engine
having a nameplate rating. The method can further include
receiving, over the network, engine parameter data associated with
the alternate power source. The engine parameter data can include
exhaust temperature data indicative of an exhaust temperature of
the engine. The method can include instructing, over the network,
the automatic transfer switch to switch the status from a normal
status to a test status to initiate a test of the emergency power
supply system by temporarily connecting the electrical system to
the alternate power source for a predetermined period of time. The
method can include evaluating a result of the test based on at
least the engine parameter data; and responsive to the evaluating,
displaying an indication of an outcome of the result of the test.
The method of the alternate power source can be an engine-generator
(genset).
[0050] Responsive to an occurrence of a loss of power from the main
utility power source, the method can further include storing second
electrical parameter data associated with the alternate power
source and measured by the intelligent electronic device during the
loss of power; and evaluating, based on at least the stored second
electrical parameter data during the loss of power from the main
utility power source, whether the EPSS would have passed at least
one legislated test criterion associated with the test of the EPSS.
Responsive to the occurrence of the loss of power, the method can
further include storing second engine parameter data associated
with the alternate power source. The second engine parameter data
includes any one or more of an exhaust temperature of the engine, a
battery voltage of a battery in the alternate power source, a
coolant temperature or pressure of the engine, a differential
pressure across a fuel filter of the engine, or a waveform
associated with an output of the engine. The evaluating whether the
EPSS would have passed the legislated test criterion can be further
based on the second engine parameter data.
[0051] Responsive to the occurrence of the loss of power, the
method can further include storing second engine parameter data
associated with the engine. The second engine parameter data can
include an exhaust temperature of the engine. The evaluating
whether the emergency power supply system would have passed the
legislated test criterion can be further based on the exhaust
temperature of the second engine parameter data. Responsive to the
evaluating determining that the emergency power supply system would
have failed the legislated test criterion, the method can further
include communicating an alarm indicating that the emergency power
supply system would have failed the legislated test criterion and
at least one parameter associated with the legislated test
criterion that caused the EPSS to fail the legislated test
criterion associated with the test of the EPSS.
[0052] The electrical system can be a first electrical system of a
first installation. Responsive to the alternate power source of the
first installation supplying power to the first electrical system,
the method can further include receiving, over a network, and
storing real-time operational and parameter data associated with
the EPS system of the first installation. The operational and
parameter data can include the electrical parameter data measured
by the intelligent electronic device. The method can further
include receiving an external operating parameter that is
independent from any real-time operational and parameter data
associated with the EPS system of the first installation; and
automatically generating a report based on at least the external
operating parameter.
[0053] The external operating parameter can include operational and
parameter data associated with a second EPS system of a second
installation that is distinct from the first installation. The
second installation can have a second alternate power source. The
operational and parameter data associated with the second
installation can include second electrical parameter data
associated with the second alternate power source and measured by a
second intelligent electronic device that measures a characteristic
of power generated by the second alternate power source and that
transforms the measured characteristic into the second electrical
parameter data for communication over a network. The automatically
generating the report can include benchmarking the operational and
parameter data associated with the first installation against the
operational and parameter data associated with the second
installation. The method can further include displaying a
comparison of the benchmarking.
[0054] The external operating parameter can include at least two
different report criteria associated with different users of the
first installation. The automatically generating the report can
include automatically generating a first report based on the report
criterion associated with a first of the users of the first
installation. The method can further include automatically
generating a second report based on the report criterion associated
with a second of the users of the first installation. The first
report and the second report can report different impacts on the
first installation.
[0055] The first installation can be a hospital. The first user can
include a medical care provider. The impact reported by the first
report can include an impact on patient safety. The second user can
include an administrator or manager of the hospital other than the
medical care provider. The impact reported by the second report can
include an impact on energy-consumption costs responsive to a
passing of the EPS system. Responsive to the passing of the EPS
system, the report can further include a recommendation to shed a
load or loads in the first electrical system to generate savings in
the energy-consumption costs of the hospital. The impact reported
by the second report can include an impact on potential legal
liability of the hospital responsive to a failure of the EPS
system.
[0056] The external operating parameter can include a hypothetical
set of operational and parameter data associated with a new
alternate power source. The method can further include evaluating
the stored operational and parameter data to test a health of the
alternate power source to produce a test result indicating the
health of the alternate power source. The method can further
include determining whether the test result would change if the new
alternate power source were installed by evaluating the
hypothetical set of operational and parameter data to test the
health of the new alternate power source. The method can further
include in the report an indication as to whether changing to the
new alternate power source would change the test result. The
hypothetical set of operational and parameter data can include a
nameplate rating of the new alternate power source and recommended
limits specified by a manufacturer of the new alternate power
source.
[0057] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a
system is provided for automatically testing an emergency power
supply system (EPSS) that supplies alternate power to an electrical
system in the event of a disruption of power from a main utility
power source that normally supplies power to the electrical system.
The system includes an alternate power source having an engine and
configured to supply alternate power to the electrical system in
the event of a disruption of power from the main utility power
source that normally supplies power to the electrical system. The
system includes a network and an intelligent electronic device that
measures a characteristic of power generated by the alternate power
source and that transforms the measured characteristic into
corresponding electrical parameter data for communication over the
network. The system includes an automatic transfer switch operable
to disconnect the electrical system from the main utility power
source and to connect the electrical system to the alternate power
source. The system includes a computing device communicatively
coupled to the network and configured to receive the engine
parameter data and the electrical parameter data over the network.
The computing device is further configured to receive, over the
network, operational status information about a change of an
operational status of the alternate power source and cause the
operational status information with a corresponding timestamp to be
stored. The computing device is further configured to receive, over
the network, status information indicating a status of the
automatic transfer switch. The computing device is further
configured to instruct, over the network, the automatic transfer
switch to switch the status from a normal status to a test status
to initiate a test of the emergency power supply system by
temporarily disconnecting the electrical system from the main
utility power source and connecting the electrical system to the
alternate power source for a predetermined period of time. The
computing device is further configured to measure, based on the
operational status information and the status information, a
transfer time corresponding to the amount of time that elapsed for
the automatic transfer switch to switch from a normal status to a
test status or an emergency status. The computing device is further
configured to determine a priority level from among a plurality of
priority levels associated with the electrical system undergoing
the test; associate each of the priority levels with a
corresponding one of a plurality of distinct, predetermined
transfer times; determine whether the measured transfer time
exceeded the predetermined transfer time associated with the
determined priority level; and, responsive to the measured transfer
time exceeding the predetermined transfer time associated with the
determined priority level, causing an alarm indicating that the
measured transfer time exceeds the predetermined transfer time to
be displayed.
[0058] The priority levels can include a low priority level
associated with non-critical electrical equipment in a hospital
powered by the electrical system, a medium priority level
associated with safety electrical equipment in the hospital, and a
high priority level associated with critical electrical equipment
in the hospital. The alternate power source can be an
engine-generator (genset).
[0059] The system can further include a temperature sensor
positioned to measure an exhaust temperature of the engine. The
temperature sensor can produce corresponding engine parameter data
indicative of the measured exhaust temperature. The computing
device can be further configured to evaluate a result of the test
based on the engine parameter data; and to cause an indication of
an outcome of the result of the test to be displayed.
[0060] The computing device can be further configured to determine
whether a loss of power from the main utility power source has
occurred, and if so, store second electrical parameter data
associated with the alternate power source and measured by the
intelligent electronic device during the loss of power and
evaluate, based on the second electrical parameter data stored
during the loss of power, whether the EPSS would have passed a
legislated test criterion associated with the test of the EPSS.
[0061] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a
computer program product is disclosed, which includes one or more
non-transitory tangible media having a computer readable program
logic embodied therein. The computer readable program logic is
configured to be executed to implement a method for automatically
evaluating an emergency power supply system (EPSS) that supplies
alternate power to an electrical system in the event of a
disruption of power from a main utility power source that normally
supplies power to the electrical system. The method includes
receiving, over a network, operational status information about a
change of an operational status of an alternate power source
configured to supply alternate power to the electrical system in
the event of a disruption of power from the main utility power
source that normally supplies power to the electrical system. The
method includes storing the operational status information with a
corresponding timestamp indicating when the change of the
operational status occurred. The method includes receiving, over
the network, and storing electrical parameter data associated with
the alternate power source and measured by an intelligent
electronic device that measures a characteristic of power generated
by the alternate power source and that transforms the measured
characteristic into the electrical parameter data for communication
over the network. The method includes receiving, over the network,
status information indicating a status of an automatic transfer
switch configured to switch power between the main utility power
source and the alternate power source. The method includes
measuring, based on the received operational status information and
the received status information, a transfer time corresponding to
the amount of time that elapsed for the automatic transfer switch
to switch from a normal status to a test status or an emergency
status. The method includes determining a priority level from among
a plurality of priority levels associated with the electrical
system undergoing a test of the EPSS. The method includes
associating each of the priority levels with a corresponding one of
a plurality of predetermined transfer times, each of the
predetermined transfer times differing from one another. The method
includes determining whether the measured transfer time exceeded
the predetermined transfer time associated with the determined
priority level; and responsive to the measured transfer time
exceeding the predetermined transfer time associated with the
determined priority level, displaying an alarm indicating that the
measured transfer time exceeds the predetermined transfer time.
[0062] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure a
method is provided for automatically testing an emergency power
supply system (EPSS) that supplies alternate power to an electrical
system in the event of a disruption of power from a main utility
power source that normally supplies power to the electrical system.
The method includes receiving, over the network, and storing
electrical parameter data associated with an alternate power source
of the EPSS and measured by an intelligent electronic device that
measures a characteristic of power generated by the alternate power
source and that transforms the measured characteristic into the
electrical parameter data for communication over the network. The
method includes receiving a first indication of a first amount of a
load of a variable load bank to consume energy produced by the
alternate power source. The method includes instructing, over the
network, the automatic transfer switch to switch the status from a
normal status to a test status to initiate a first test of the
emergency power supply system by temporarily connecting the first
load amount of the variable load bank to the alternate power source
for a predetermined period of time. The method includes evaluating
a first result of the first test based on at least the electrical
parameter data received during the first test; responsive to the
evaluating, displaying an indication of the first result of the
first test; and receiving a second indication of a second load
amount of the load of the variable load bank. The method includes
instructing the automatic transfer switch to switch the status from
the normal status to the test status to initiate a second test of
the emergency power supply system by temporarily connecting the
second load amount of the variable load bank to the alternate power
source, evaluating a second result of the second test based on at
least the electrical parameter data received during the second
test; and responsive to the evaluating, displaying an indication of
the second result of the second test.
[0063] The alternate power source can be configured to supply
alternate power to the electrical system in the event of a
disruption of power from the main utility power source that
normally supplies power to the electrical system. The alternate
power source can be an engine-generator (genset) that includes an
engine having a nameplate rating. The method can further include
receiving, over the network, engine parameter data associated with
the alternate power source. The engine parameter data can include
exhaust temperature data indicative of an exhaust temperature of
the engine. The evaluating the first result or the evaluating the
second result can be based further on the exhaust temperature data.
The first indication and the second indication can be represented
as a percentage of a maximum load of the variable load bank. The
EPSS can be installed in a datacenter.
[0064] The method can further include receiving, over a network,
operational status information about a change of an operational
status of an alternate power source, storing the operational status
information with a corresponding timestamp indicating when the
change of the operational status occurred; and receiving, over the
network, status information indicating a status of an automatic
transfer switch configured to switch power between the main utility
power source and the alternate power source. The method can further
include evaluating the first result includes determining,
responsive to the instructing, a transfer time associated with
switching the power from the main utility power source to the
alternate power source during the first test based on the
operational status information and the status information received
during the first test. The evaluating the second result can include
determining, responsive to the instructing, a second transfer time
associated with switching the power from the main utility power
source to the alternate power source during the second test based
on the operational status information and the status information
received during the second test.
[0065] Responsive to an occurrence of a loss of power from the main
utility power source, the method can further include: storing
second electrical parameter data associated with the alternate
power source and measured by the intelligent electronic device
during the loss of power; and evaluating, based on at least the
stored second electrical parameter data during the loss of power
from the main utility power source, whether the EPSS would have
passed at least one legislated test criterion associated with the
test of the EPSS.
[0066] Responsive to the occurrence of the loss of power, the
method can further include storing second engine parameter data
associated with the alternate power source. The second engine
parameter data can include any one or more of an exhaust
temperature of the engine, a battery voltage of a battery in the
alternate power source, a coolant temperature or pressure of the
engine, a differential pressure across a fuel filter of the engine,
or a waveform associated with an output of the engine. The
evaluating whether the EPSS would have passed the legislated test
criterion can be further based on the second engine parameter
data.
[0067] Responsive to the occurrence of the loss of power, the
method can further include storing second engine parameter data
associated with the engine. The second engine parameter data can
include an exhaust temperature of the engine. The evaluating
whether the emergency power supply system would have passed the
legislated test criterion can be further based on the exhaust
temperature of the second engine parameter data. Responsive to the
evaluating determining that the emergency power supply system would
have failed the legislated test criterion, the method can further
include communicating an alarm indicating that the emergency power
supply system would have failed the legislated test criterion and
at least one parameter associated with the legislated test
criterion that caused the EPSS to fail the legislated test
criterion associated with the test of the EPSS.
[0068] The electrical system can be a first electrical system of a
first installation. Responsive to the alternate power source of the
first installation supplying power to the first electrical system,
the method can further include receiving, over a network, and
storing real-time operational and parameter data associated with
the EPS system of the first installation. The operational and
parameter data can include the electrical parameter data measured
by the intelligent electronic device. The method can further
include: receiving an external operating parameter that is
independent from any real-time operational and parameter data
associated with the EPS system of the first installation; and
automatically generating a report based on at least the external
operating parameter.
[0069] The external operating parameter can include operational and
parameter data associated with a second EPS system of a second
installation that is distinct from the first installation. The
second installation can have a second alternate power source. The
operational and parameter data associated with the second
installation can include second electrical parameter data
associated with the second alternate power source and measured by a
second intelligent electronic device that measures a characteristic
of power generated by the second alternate power source and that
transforms the measured characteristic into the second electrical
parameter data for communication over a network. The automatically
generating the report can include benchmarking the operational and
parameter data associated with the first installation against the
operational and parameter data associated with the second
installation. The method can further include displaying a
comparison of the benchmarking.
[0070] The operational and parameter data associated with the first
installation can further include (a) operational status information
about a change of an operational status of the alternate power
source of the first installation, and (b) status information
indicating a status of an automatic transfer switch configured to
switch power between the main utility power source and the
alternate power source of the first installation. The operational
and parameter data associated with the second installation can
further include (a) operational status information about a change
of an operational status of the alternate power source of the
second installation, and (b) status information indicating a status
of an automatic transfer switch configured to switch power between
the main utility power source and the alternate power source of the
second installation. The benchmarking can include comparing a
transfer time calculated based on the operational status
information and the status information associated with the first
installation with a second transfer time calculated based on the
operational status information and the status information
associated with the second installation.
[0071] The external operating parameter can include at least two
different report criteria associated with different users of the
first installation. The automatically generating the report can
include: automatically generating a first report based on the
report criterion associated with a first of the users of the first
installation; and automatically generating a second report based on
the report criterion associated with a second of the users of the
first installation. The first report and the second report can
report different impacts on the first installation.
[0072] The first installation can be a hospital. The first user can
include a medical care provider. The impact reported by the first
report can include an impact on patient safety. The second user can
include an administrator or manager of the hospital other than the
medical care provider. The impact reported by the second report can
include an impact on energy-consumption costs responsive to a
passing of the EPS system. Responsive to the passing of the EPS
system, the report can further include a recommendation to shed a
load or loads in the first electrical system to generate savings in
the energy-consumption costs of the hospital. The method of the
impact reported by the second report can include an impact on
potential legal liability of the hospital responsive to a failure
of the EPS system.
[0073] The external operating parameter can include a hypothetical
set of operational and parameter data associated with a new
alternate power source. The method can further include evaluating
the stored operational and parameter data to test a health of the
alternate power source to produce a test result indicating the
health of the alternate power source. The method can further
include: determining whether the test result would change if the
new alternate power source were installed by evaluating the
hypothetical set of operational and parameter data to test the
health of the new alternate power source; and including in the
report an indication as to whether changing to the new alternate
power source would change the test result. The hypothetical set of
operational and parameter data can include a nameplate rating of
the new alternate power source and recommended limits specified by
a manufacturer of the new alternate power source.
[0074] According to yet a further aspect of the present disclosure,
a system is provided for automatically testing an emergency power
supply system (EPSS) that supplies alternate power to an electrical
system in the event of a disruption of power from a main utility
power source that normally supplies power to the electrical system.
The system includes an alternate power source configured to supply
alternate power to the electrical system in the event of a
disruption of power from the main utility power source that
normally supplies power to the electrical system; a network; an
intelligent electronic device that measures a characteristic of
power generated by the alternate power source and that transforms
the measured characteristic into corresponding electrical parameter
data for communication over the network; a variable load bank
coupled to the alternate power source that consumes energy produced
by the alternate power source; an automatic transfer switch
operable to disconnect the electrical system from the main utility
power source and to connect the electrical system to the alternate
power source; and a computing device communicatively coupled to the
network and configured to receive the electrical parameter data
over the network. The computing device is further configured to
receive, over the network, operational status information about a
change of an operational status of the alternate power source and
cause the operational status information with a corresponding
timestamp to be stored. The computing device is further configured
to receive a first indication of a first amount of a load of the
variable load bank to consume energy produced by the alternate
power source. The computing device is further configured to
instruct, over the network, the automatic transfer switch to switch
the status from a normal status to a test status to initiate a
first test of the EPSS by temporarily connecting the first load
amount of the variable load bank to the alternate power source for
a predetermined period of time while disconnecting the main utility
power source from the electrical system. The computing device is
further configured to evaluate a first result of the first test
based on the electrical parameter data received during the first
test and cause an indication of the first result to be displayed.
The computing device is further configured to receive a second
indication of a second amount of a load of the variable load bank.
The computing device is further configured to instruct, over the
network, the automatic transfer switch to switch the status from
the normal status to the test status to initiate a second test of
the EPSS by temporarily connecting the second load amount of the
variable load bank to the alternate power source while
disconnecting the main utility power source from the electrical
system. The computing device is further configured to evaluate a
second result of the second test based on the electrical parameter
data received during the second test and cause an indication of the
second result of the second test to be displayed. The EPSS can be
installed in a datacenter.
[0075] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a
computer program product is provided, which includes one or more
non-transitory tangible media having a computer readable program
logic embodied therein. The computer readable program logic is
configured to be executed to implement a method for automatically
testing an emergency power supply system (EPSS) that supplies
alternate power to an electrical system in the event of a
disruption of power from a main utility power source that normally
supplies power to the electrical system. The implemented method
includes receiving, over the network, and storing electrical
parameter data associated with an alternate power source of the
EPSS and measured by an intelligent electronic device that measures
a characteristic of power generated by the alternate power source
and that transforms the measured characteristic into the electrical
parameter data for communication over the network, the alternate
power source being configured to supply alternate power to the
electrical system in the event of a disruption of power from the
main utility power source that normally supplies power to the
electrical system. The method includes receiving a first indication
of a first amount of a load of a variable load bank to consume
energy produced by the alternate power source. The method includes
instructing, over the network, the automatic transfer switch to
switch the status from a normal status to a test status to initiate
a first test of the emergency power supply system by temporarily
connecting the first load amount of the variable load bank to the
alternate power source for a predetermined period of time. The
method includes evaluating a first result of the first test based
on at least the electrical parameter data received during the first
test; responsive to the evaluating, displaying an indication of the
first result of the first test; receiving a second indication of a
second load amount of the load of the variable load bank;
instructing the automatic transfer switch to switch the status from
the normal status to the test status to initiate a second test of
the emergency power supply system by temporarily connecting the
second load amount of the variable load bank to the alternate power
source; evaluating a second result of the second test based on at
least the electrical parameter data received during the second
test; and responsive to the evaluating, displaying an indication of
the second result of the second test.
[0076] According to yet a further aspect of the present disclosure,
a method is provided for automatically evaluating an emergency
power supply (EPS) system that supplies alternate power to an
electrical system in the event of a disruption of power from a main
utility power source that normally supplies power to the electrical
system. The method includes, responsive to each of multiple
occurrences that the power supplied to the electrical system is
switched by an automatic transfer switch from the main utility
power source to the alternate power source: receiving, over a
network, and storing a set of operational and parameter data
associated with the EPS system of the electrical system during each
of the occurrences to produce a plurality of sets of operational
and parameter data; evaluating the sets of operational and
parameter data to identify at least one characteristic of the
alternate power source that is deteriorating over an evaluation
time period that includes the time period between the first of the
occurrences and a most recent one of the occurrences; assigning a
failure priority to the deteriorating characteristic; and
automatically generating a report that indicates the failure
priority and the deteriorating characteristic. The operational and
parameter data includes (a) operational status information about a
change of an operational status of the alternate power source, (b)
electrical parameter data associated with the alternate power
source and measured by an intelligent electronic device that
measures a characteristic of power generated by the alternate power
source and that transforms the measured characteristic into the
electrical parameter data for communication over the network, and
(c) status information indicating a status of an automatic transfer
switch configured to switch power between the main utility power
source and the alternate power source.
[0077] The failure priority can include a non-critical priority and
a critical priority. The characteristic can be a transfer time
representing a time period that elapses between a start time when
an instruction communicated to the automatic transfer switch and an
end time when the automatic transfer switch switches power from the
main utility power source to the alternate power source. The
transfer time can be deteriorating over time by trending upwards.
The failure priority can be assigned to the non-critical priority.
A rate of change of the characteristic over the evaluation time
period can exceed a predetermined value such that the deterioration
of the characteristic appears to spike over the evaluation time
period. The failure priority can be assigned to the critical
priority. The alternate power source can be an engine-generator
(genset).
[0078] Responsive to an occurrence of a loss of power from the main
utility power source, the method can further include: storing
second electrical parameter data associated with the alternate
power source and measured by the intelligent electronic device
during the loss of power; and evaluating, based on at least the
stored second electrical parameter data during the loss of power
from the main utility power source, whether the EPSS would have
passed at least one legislated test criterion associated with the
test of the EPSS. Responsive to the occurrence of the loss of
power, the method can further include storing second engine
parameter data associated with the alternate power source. The
second engine parameter data can include any one or more of an
exhaust temperature of the engine, a battery voltage of a battery
in the alternate power source, a coolant temperature or pressure of
the engine, a differential pressure across a fuel filter of the
engine, or a waveform associated with an output of the engine. The
evaluating whether the EPSS would have passed the legislated test
criterion can be further based on the second engine parameter
data.
[0079] Responsive to the occurrence of the loss of power, the
method can further include storing second engine parameter data
associated with the engine. The second engine parameter data can
includes an exhaust temperature of the engine. The evaluating
whether the emergency power supply system would have passed the
legislated test criterion can be further based on the exhaust
temperature of the second engine parameter data. Responsive to the
evaluating determining that the emergency power supply system would
have failed the legislated test criterion, the method can further
include communicating an alarm indicating that the emergency power
supply system would have failed the legislated test criterion and
at least one parameter associated with the legislated test
criterion that caused the EPSS to fail the legislated test
criterion associated with the test of the EPSS.
[0080] The electrical system can be a first electrical system of a
first installation. Responsive to the alternate power source of the
first installation supplying power to the first electrical system,
the method can further include receiving, over a network, and
storing real-time operational and parameter data associated with
the EPS system of the first installation, the operational and
parameter data including the electrical parameter data measured by
the intelligent electronic device. The method can further include:
receiving an external operating parameter that is independent from
any real-time operational and parameter data associated with the
EPS system of the first installation; and automatically generating
a report based on at least the external operating parameter.
[0081] The external operating parameter can include operational and
parameter data associated with a second EPS system of a second
installation that is distinct from the first installation. The
second installation can have a second alternate power source. The
operational and parameter data associated with the second
installation can include second electrical parameter data
associated with the second alternate power source and measured by a
second intelligent electronic device that measures a characteristic
of power generated by the second alternate power source and that
transforms the measured characteristic into the second electrical
parameter data for communication over a network. The automatically
generating the report can include benchmarking the operational and
parameter data associated with the first installation against the
operational and parameter data associated with the second
installation. The method can further include displaying a
comparison of the benchmarking.
[0082] The operational and parameter data associated with the first
installation can further include (a) operational status information
about a change of an operational status of the alternate power
source of the first installation, and (b) status information
indicating a status of an automatic transfer switch configured to
switch power between the main utility power source and the
alternate power source of the first installation. The operational
and parameter data associated with the second installation can
further include (a) operational status information about a change
of an operational status of the alternate power source of the
second installation, and (b) status information indicating a status
of an automatic transfer switch configured to switch power between
the main utility power source and the alternate power source of the
second installation. The benchmarking can include comparing a
transfer time calculated based on the operational status
information and the status information associated with the first
installation with a second transfer time calculated based on the
operational status information and the status information
associated with the second installation.
[0083] The external operating parameter can include at least two
different report criteria associated with different users of the
first installation. The automatically generating the report can
include: automatically generating a first report based on the
report criterion associated with a first of the users of the first
installation; and automatically generating a second report based on
the report criterion associated with a second of the users of the
first installation. The first report and the second report can
report different impacts on the first installation.
[0084] The first installation can be a hospital. The first user can
include a medical care provider. The impact reported by the first
report can include an impact on patient safety. The second user can
include an administrator or manager of the hospital other than the
medical care provider. The impact reported by the second report can
include an impact on energy-consumption costs responsive to a
passing of the EPS system. Responsive to the passing of the EPS
system, the report can further include a recommendation to shed a
load or loads in the first electrical system to generate savings in
the energy-consumption costs of the hospital. The impact reported
by the second report can include an impact on potential legal
liability of the hospital responsive to a failure of the EPS
system.
[0085] The external operating parameter can include a hypothetical
set of operational and parameter data associated with a new
alternate power source. The method can further include: evaluating
the stored operational and parameter data to test a health of the
alternate power source to produce a test result indicating the
health of the alternate power source; determining whether the test
result would change if the new alternate power source were
installed by evaluating the hypothetical set of operational and
parameter data to test the health of the new alternate power
source; and including in the report an indication as to whether
changing to the new alternate power source would change the test
result. The hypothetical set of operational and parameter data can
include a nameplate rating of the new alternate power source and
recommended limits specified by a manufacturer of the new alternate
power source.
[0086] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a system
is disclosed for automatically testing an emergency power supply
system (EPSS) that supplies alternate power to an electrical system
in the event of a disruption of power from a main utility power
source that normally supplies power to the electrical system, the
system comprising: an alternate power source configured to supply
alternate power to the electrical system in the event of a
disruption of power from the main utility power source that
normally supplies power to the electrical system; a network; an
intelligent electronic device that measures a characteristic of
power generated by the alternate power source and that transforms
the measured characteristic into corresponding electrical parameter
data for communication over the network; a variable load bank
coupled to the alternate power source that consumes energy produced
by the alternate power source; an automatic transfer switch
operable to switch power between the main utility power source and
the alternate power source; and a computing device communicatively
coupled to the network and configured to: each time the power
supplied to the electrical system is switched by the automatic
transfer switch from the main utility power source to the alternate
power source, (a) receive a set of operational and parameter data
associated with the EPSS, the set of operational and parameter data
including operational status information about a change of an
operational status of the alternate power source, electrical
parameter data measured by the intelligent electronic device while
the alternate power source supplies power to the electrical system,
and status information indicating a status of the automatic
transfer switch, and (b) cause the set of operational and parameter
data to be stored; determine whether multiple sets of operational
and parameter have been stored, and if so, evaluate the sets of
operational and parameter data to identify at least one
characteristic of the alternate power source that is deteriorating
over an evaluation time period that includes the time period
between a first of the times that the power supplied to the
electrical system is switched from the main utility power source to
the alternate power source and a most recent of the times that the
power supplied to the electrical system is switched from the main
utility power source to the alternate power source; assign a
failure priority to the deteriorating characteristic; and generate
a report that indicates the failure priority and the deteriorating
characteristic.
[0087] The failure priority can include a non-critical priority and
a critical priority. The characteristic can be a transfer time
representing a time period that elapses between a start time when
an instruction communicated to the automatic transfer switch and an
end time when the automatic transfer switch switches power from the
main utility power source to the alternate power source. The
transfer time can deteriorating over time by trending upwards. The
failure priority can be assigned to the non-critical priority.
[0088] A rate of change of the characteristic over the evaluation
time period can exceed a predetermined value such that the
deterioration of the characteristic appears to spike over the
evaluation time period. The failure priority can be assigned to the
critical priority.
[0089] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a
computer program product is disclosed, which includes one or more
non-transitory tangible media having a computer readable program
logic embodied therein, the computer readable program logic
configured to be executed to implement a method for automatically
evaluating an emergency power supply (EPS) system that supplies
alternate power to an electrical system in the event of a
disruption of power from a main utility power source that normally
supplies power to the electrical system. The method includes:
responsive to each of multiple occurrences that the power supplied
to the electrical system is switched by an automatic transfer
switch from the main utility power source to the alternate power
source, receiving, over a network, and storing a set of operational
and parameter data associated with the EPS system of the electrical
system during each of the occurrences to produce a plurality of
sets of operational and parameter data, the operational and
parameter data including (a) operational status information about a
change of an operational status of the alternate power source, (b)
electrical parameter data associated with the alternate power
source and measured by an intelligent electronic device that
measures a characteristic of power generated by the alternate power
source and that transforms the measured characteristic into the
electrical parameter data for communication over the network, and
(c) status information indicating a status of an automatic transfer
switch configured to switch power between the main utility power
source and the alternate power source; evaluating the sets of
operational and parameter data to identify at least one
characteristic of the alternate power source that is deteriorating
over an evaluation time period that includes the time period
between the first of the occurrences and a most recent one of the
occurrences; assigning a failure priority to the deteriorating
characteristic; and automatically generating a report that
indicates the failure priority and the deteriorating
characteristic.
[0090] The present disclosure expressly contemplates combining any
one or more of the disclosed systems, features, components,
modules, blocks, or methods in any permutation.
[0091] The foregoing and additional aspects of the present
disclosure will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
in view of the detailed description of various configurations
and/or aspects, which is made with reference to the drawings, a
brief description of which is provided next.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0092] The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will
become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and
upon reference to the drawings.
[0093] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary
electrical system that normally supplies electrical current to
electrical loads from a normal power source and backup power from
an alternate power source;
[0094] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example
configuration and components of a simplified automated emergency
power supply system (EPSS) test configuration;
[0095] FIGS. 3A-3C are functional block diagrams of an essential,
enhanced, and comprehensive EPSS configuration, respectively;
[0096] FIG. 4 is a flowchart diagram of an EPSS testing algorithm
that uses engine parameter data to evaluate a result of an EPSS
test;
[0097] FIGS. 5A-5B are a flowchart diagram of an EPSS testing
algorithm that allows the user to select which parameter data to be
used to evaluate a result of an EPSS test;
[0098] FIGS. 6A-6B are a flowchart diagram of an EPSS testing
algorithm that allows the user to associate different priority
levels with different transfer times for the EPSS test;
[0099] FIG. 7 is a flowchart diagram of an EPSS testing algorithm
that uses variable load banks during an EPSS test;
[0100] FIG. 8 is a flowchart diagram of an EPSS algorithm that
stores operational parameter data during a real outage of power
from a normal power source;
[0101] FIGS. 9A-9C are a flowchart diagram of an EPSS testing
algorithm that evaluates a test based on an external operating
parameter not associated with the installation on which the EPSS
test is conducted;
[0102] FIG. 10 is a flowchart diagram of an EPSS testing algorithm
that assigns different failure priorities based on different users'
needs to generate customized reports for each user;
[0103] FIG. 11A is an example display of an EPSS configuration tool
for configuring the EPSS report, generators, and transfer
switches;
[0104] FIG. 11B is an example display for configuring the transfer
switches used in an EPSS test;
[0105] FIG. 11C is an example display for configuring one or more
generators used in an EPSS test as alternate power sources;
[0106] FIG. 12A is an example report showing a test result that
includes a plot of load values compared to the engine's nameplate
rating threshold; and
[0107] FIG. 12B is an example report showing a test result that
includes a plot of exhaust temperature values compared to a minimum
exhaust temperature threshold specified by a manufacturer of the
engine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0108] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an example
electrical system 100 that normally supplies electrical current to
electrical loads within a facility or building, such as a hospital
or healthcare facility, from a normal power source 102. When power
supplied by the normal power source 102, such as a main utility
power source, is interrupted, automatic switching equipment 104,
106, 108 automatically switches power supplied by the normal power
source 102 to an alternate power source 110, such as a generator or
genset, as that term is understood by those skilled in the art of
power systems, or a direct current (DC) power source such as a
battery. In the case of a hospital, the electrical system 100 can
include an emergency system 112 that supplies power to essential
loads within the hospital that are supplied by life safety or
critical branch circuits. Non-essential loads 114 in the hospital
remain unpowered during a power outage from the normal power source
102. Within the essential electrical subsystem 116, the automatic
switching equipment can include a delayed automatic switching
equipment 104 for delayed switching to loads that do not need to be
immediately powered upon a loss of power from the normal power
source 102.
[0109] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example
configuration and components of a simplified automated emergency
power supply system (EPSS) test configuration 200. The term
"emergency" in EPSS refers to a condition in which power from the
normal power source 102 is unavailable, rendering the electrical
system 100 into an emergency condition as opposed to a normal or
non-emergency condition when power is supplied from the normal
power source 102. An emergency power supply system can also be
referred to as a backup power (supply) system. In some buildings,
such as hospitals or datacenters, it is important for some devices
to continue to be powered during a loss of power from the normal
power source 102. These devices can be termed "critical" or
"non-critical," for example, but this terminology should not be
confused with the term "emergency" in the context used herein. The
EPS system can include an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), which
supplies backup power to critical or important electrical loads
within the electrical system 100 during a loss of power from the
normal power source 102. The EPSS test configuration 200 includes a
communications network 202, such as an Ethernet network, connected
to a computing device 204, such as a computer, a server, a smart
phone, or other network-enabled device that can display EPSS
reports and/or evaluate EPS pass/fail criteria based on received
parameter data, a database 206, and an automatic transfer switch
(ATS) 208. A status (e.g., "Test," "Normal," and "Emergency") of
the ATS 208 is monitored by a first monitoring device or
programmable logic controller (PLC) 210, and a second monitoring
device or intelligent electronic device ("IED") 212 measures a
characteristic of power, such as current or voltage, generated by
the generator 110 and transforms the measured current or voltage
into corresponding electrical parameter data (e.g., power) for
communication over the communications network 202. The second
monitoring device 212 can conventionally monitor the current or
voltage generated by the generator 110 by sensing the current or
voltage via current or voltage transformers coupled to the
corresponding conductors carrying the current or voltage generated
by the generator 110. The monitoring device 212 can record current,
voltage, or other electrical parameter data during startup of the
generator or during a transfer of a load from the normal power
source 102 to the alternate power source 110. The first and second
monitoring devices 210, 212 can generally be any intelligent
electronic device, such as a power meter, a relay, a PLC, or the
like. When used to measure a characteristic of power, the first or
second monitoring device 210, 212 has the capability to measure a
characteristic of power (such as, for example, current and/or
voltage or any advanced waveform information), transform the
measured characteristic into corresponding electrical parameter
data, store the electrical parameter data, and communicate the
electrical parameter data to an external system over the
communications network 202. Advanced waveform information can be
derived from electrical data generated by the alternate power
source 110. Engine failure in motor devices, such as generators,
typically occur slowly over time. As such, there are characteristic
warning signs or trends that can help with predicting the failure
by analyzing the current or voltage waveforms generated by the
engines. Certain signatures, patterns, or anomalies within these
waveforms can provide a clue as to the health of the engine. In
practice, the current or voltage generated by a healthy or normal
engine operate within known waveforms and the current or voltage
waveform produced by the engine of the alternate power source 110
can be analyzed against signatures of known failure modes (for
example, bearing wear, unbalanced loads, vibration). The current or
voltage waveform from the power generated by the alternate power
source 110 can be analyzed across the harmonic spectrum for a
particular signature, or the waveform can be analyzed to determine
whether there are different current or voltage spikes that occur a
regular intervals.
[0110] The status information of the ATS 208 can also include power
source information indicating that normal power is available from
the main utility power source 102 or that emergency or alternate
power is available from the alternate power source 110. When this
additional status information is reported to the first monitoring
device 210, the EPS system can be used to log electrical and engine
parameter data generated during actual power outages from the
normal power source 102 in addition to electrical and engine
parameter data generated during a test of the EPS system. An
optional temperature sensor 214 measures the exhaust temperature of
the engine of the generator 110 and communicates exhaust
temperature data indicative of the exhaust temperature of the
engine. The temperature sensor 214 can communicate the exhaust
temperature data directly to the computing device 204 over the
communications network 202 or indirectly via the second IED 212.
Any combination of the electrical parameter data from the second
IED 212, the exhaust temperature data from the second IED 212 or
directly from the sensor 214, and the status information from the
first monitoring device 210 can be stored in the database 206,
which is accessed by the computing device 204 for evaluating a
result of a test of the EPSS based on any combination of the
exhaust temperature data, the electrical parameter data, and the
status information.
[0111] The second IED 212 can be an ION7550 or ION7650 power
monitor available from Schneider Electric. The second IED 212
monitors electrical parameters (e.g., current, voltage, frequency)
of the generator 110 via analog inputs as well as three status
contacts of the generator 110, which monitor the operational status
of the generator 110 (e.g., "start," "running," and "stopped"), via
digital inputs. A change in the operational status of any of the
three contacts is stored in a memory of the second IED 212 along
with a timestamp of the status change. The timestamp can include
the time and date that the operational status of the generator 110
changed. In addition, one or more engine parameters of the
generator 110, such as any combination of a battery voltage of a
battery in the generator 110, the exhaust temperature of the engine
of the generator 110, a coolant temperature or pressure of the
engine of the generator 110, a differential fuel pressure across a
fuel filter of the engine of the generator 110, or any waveform
associated with an output of the engine of the generator 110, etc.
can be received at the analog inputs of the second IED 212 and
stored in a memory of the second IED 212. Or, in examples in which
the controller of the engine in the generator 110 communicates via
the MODBUS.RTM. messaging protocol, the power monitor 212 can
retrieve these engine parameters directly from the engine
controller.
[0112] The computing device 204 evaluates the test result based on
any combination of the engine parameter data and the electrical
parameter data and generates one or more reports 216, which can be
displayed on a video display or printed on a printer. The first
monitoring device 210 captures the "Test," "Normal" and "Emergency"
status information transmitted by that ATS 208. All three status
contacts are tied to the digital inputs of the first monitoring
device 210, which again can be a PLC. As described above, the
status information from the ATS 208 can further include contacts
that indicate "utility power available" or "emergency power
available." These additional contacts allow the user of the
computing device 204 to generate EPSS reports 216 responsive to an
actual utility outage in addition to responsive to an EPSS
test.
[0113] The status information, engine parameter data, and the
electrical parameter data are automatically uploaded by the
monitoring devices in the electrical system 100 via the
communications network 202 to the database 206, which can be an SQL
server database, such as an ION Enterprise SQL Server database
available from Schneider Electric. A reporting module of the EPSS
200 retrieves the data from the database 206 to produce EPSS test
reports 216. The reporting module is an machine-executable
component that runs on the computing device 204.
[0114] The functional block diagram shown in FIG. 2 illustrates the
basic components involved in the EPSS 200, and of course there are
numerous ways an EPS system can be configured for conducting
automated tests as disclosed herein. FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate three
different exemplary EPSS configurations called essential or basic
(FIG. 3A), enhanced (FIG. 3B), and comprehensive (FIG. 3C). Each of
these configurations will be discussed in turn.
[0115] In FIG. 3A, an essential or basic EPSS configuration 300 is
shown, which is based on the EPSS 200 shown in FIG. 2. The lines
numbered 302 communicate over a MODBUS.RTM. serial communications
protocol, the lines numbered 304 correspond to digital I/O lines,
and the lines numbered 306 communicate using the Ethernet
communications protocol. The essential EPSS configuration 300
includes the communications network 202 and the computing device
204 shown in FIG. 2. In this example, the communications network
202 is an Ethernet network that is coupled to the computing device
204 and to first, second, third, and fourth monitoring devices or
programmable logic control devices 308a,b,c,d. Any of the
monitoring devices 308 disclosed herein can also correspond to the
monitoring devices 210, 212 shown in FIG. 2, and vice versa. The
first, second, and third monitoring devices communicate engine
parameter data associated with first, second, and third alternate
power sources 310a-c by a serial communications protocol, such as
MODBUS.RTM., to the respective alternate power sources 310a,b,c
such as diesel- or gas-powered generators. Each generator 310a,b,c
includes at least three digital outputs (labeled X indicating an
engine starting status, R indicating an engine running status, and
S indicating an engine stopped status) that supply the respective
operational status of the engine to the corresponding monitoring
device 310a,b,c. The fourth monitoring device 308d monitors the
status of one or more ATS switches 208e,f, each having three
digital outputs indicating the status of the ATS switch as test
(labeled "T"), emergency (labeled "E"), or normal (labeled "N").
Four local ATS switches 208a-d are connected to respective
overcurrent devices (OCD) with a switching mechanism such as a
MASTERPACT.RTM. power circuit breaker available from Schneider
Electric. The digital outputs of the ATS switches 208a-d indicating
status information of each of the ATS switches are received at
corresponding digital inputs of the first monitoring or PLC device
308a. Each of the ATS switches 208a-f includes a control digital
input, and each of the monitoring devices 308a, 308d includes a
corresponding control digital output (labeled "T" in FIG. 3A), for
instructing by the monitoring device 308a,d each of the
corresponding ATS switches 208a,b,c,d,e,f to change its status to a
test status for conducting a test of the EPS system 200.
[0116] For example, the monitoring devices 308a-c can be ION7550
power monitors available from Schneider Electric, which record and
store electrical parameter data, including power quality data,
voltage sag/swell data, transient data, from each of the
corresponding generators 310a-c, status information regarding each
of the ATS switches 208a-d, and can be powered by batteries or a
uninterruptible power supply (UPS) during an outage of power from
the main utility power source 102. The monitoring device 308d can
also be an ION7550 power monitor available from Schneider Electric,
and monitors ATS switches 208e,f that are remote from the ATS
switches 208a-d. The computing device 204 can be communicatively
coupled to a paging device 314 for communicating event-based alarms
or other defined event information during testing of the EPSS
200.
[0117] The automated EPSS configuration 300 shown in FIG. 3A has
basic functionality in which power monitoring is implemented only
at the generators 310a,b,c. All ATS switches 208a-f have status
information only (test, emergency, normal) monitoring. This basic
configuration can be suitable for cost-sensitive projects.
[0118] For configurations in which power metering is required at
the ATS level as well as at the generator level, the exemplary
enhanced configuration 300' configuration shown in FIG. 3B can be
used. In this example configuration 300', ATS status information
can also be tied into the respective ATS metering, or any nearby
monitoring device with digital inputs Like components are shown
with like reference numbers. In FIG. 3B, additional monitoring
devices 308e,f,g,h are installed to provide electrical parameter
data from the ATS switches 208a-f. The monitoring devices 308e-h
can capture and store peak demand values and other information as
specified in Section 220.87 of the National Electrical Code (NEC).
In this enhanced EPSS configuration 300', the monitoring devices
308f, 308g can be PM8-based power monitors available from Schneider
Electric. The monitoring devices 308e-h can optionally record
electrical parameter data, such as voltage, during a transfer or
switching of a load by the corresponding ATS 208 from the normal
power source 102 to the alternate power source 110, for example, to
verify that the transfer switching is not causing unusual voltage
disturbances. The computing device 204 can initiate a test of the
EPSS system 200 (e.g., by instructing an ATS 208 to switch to a
test status, initiating a transfer of power from the normal power
source 102 to the alternate power source 110) and can also provide
status information associated with the overcurrent devices
312a-e.
[0119] An EPSS test is run for a legislated period of time,
typically starting when the alternate power source (e.g., genset)
110 has reached its required operating conditions, which can be,
for example, a load percentage based on the nameplate rating of the
engine, exhaust gas temperature, or a combination of both. The user
of the computing device 204 can specify test parameters while an
EPSS test is running, such as the test duration (e.g., 30 minutes),
time remaining, minimum load (e.g., 30% of nameplate rating),
minimum exhaust temperature (e.g., 800.degree. F.), and the like.
During an EPSS test, the user can view in real-time the operating
parameters of the generator 110 in any detail, such as the engine
operating temperature, the engine voltage, the engine speed, power
factor, phase current, phase voltage, frequency, engine oil
temperature, engine oil pressure, engine fuel pressure, fuel
consumption rate, engine fuel level, manifold air temperature,
battery voltage, engine coolant temperature, nameplate rating of
the engine, loading of the engine in Kw, kVA, or kVAR, and the
like. Similar readings can be viewed in real-time for each ATS 208
in the EPS system 200, such as voltage, apparent power, current,
frequency, power factor, reactive power, real power, and the like.
All recorded test data can be stored in the database 206.
[0120] Finally, for EPSS configurations in which power quality is
important for critical machinery or equipment such as MRI machines
in hospitals or servers in datacenters, it is desirable to equip
selective ATS switches with enhanced power quality metering. FIG.
3C illustrates an example comprehensive EPSS configuration 300'' in
which the generators 310a-c are equipped with power quality
metering. The configuration 300'' is similar to the configuration
300' except that the overcurrent devices (OCD) 312a-e include a
communications interface 316a-e, and each ATS 208a-f is monitored
by a corresponding monitoring device 308j-o. The communications
interface 316a-e communicates electrical parameter data (such as
power quality data, peak demand data, and other maximum demand
data) and ATS status information (such as test, emergency, and
normal) via a serial communications protocol 302 to the computing
device 204 via the monitoring device 308m over Ethernet 306. Each
monitoring device 308j-o can optionally include an additional input
from each of the ATS switches 208a-f indicating a status of normal
power available contacts and emergency power available contacts,
which indicate the source of power (e.g., normal 102 or alternate
110) delivered through the ATS switch 208. As indicated above, each
of the monitoring devices 308a-c that monitor the respective
generators 310a-c monitors whether the generators 310a-c can
support a minimum required load level (e.g., 30% in the United
States) for a minimum period of time (e.g., 30 minutes). The
monitoring devices 308a-c begin recording when the exhaust
temperature being monitored by the monitoring devices 308a-c
reaches the stack temperature.
[0121] The basic, enhanced, and comprehensive configuration
examples shown in FIGS. 3A-3C can be used in conjunction with any
EPSS testing solution disclosed herein. Of course, these
configurations can be scaled to any size to suit a particular
application, and fewer or more devices can be used than those
shown. The EPSS 200 shown in FIG. 2 is a basic EPSS, which can be
expanded to any configuration, such as the configurations 300,
300', and 300'' shown in FIGS. 3A-3C. As used herein, the
configurations 300, 300', 300'' may also be variously referred to
as an EPSS.
[0122] The EPSS testing solutions described herein advantageously
provide automatic exhaust gas temperature support. A legislated
pass/fail criteria for an EPS system is typically based on a
percentage of load seen by the generator. The EPSS testing
solutions provided herein include an evaluation of the generator's
exhaust gas temperature against legislated criteria, such as those
found in NFPA 99 or 110, the Joint Commission, formerly known as
the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
(JCAHO), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), or
Det Norske Veritas (DNV). Examples of a legislated test criterion
include a criterion or criteria determined by any requirement set
forth in a code or a standard of the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA), the Joint Commission, CMS, DNV, the Health
Technical Memorandum (HTM), the Canadian Standards Association
(CSA), the Australian/New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS), the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), or any other
applicable code or standard of a jurisdiction or governmental
entity. Examples of legislated test criteria, which are also
provided further below, include a transfer time, such as 10
seconds, a load percentage expressed as a percentage of a nameplate
rating specified by the manufacturer of the engine 110, such as
30%, a test period, such as 30 minutes, a minimum exhaust
temperature, such as 800.degree. F. The term "transfer time," "load
percentage," and "nameplate rating" are used as they would be
understood by those skilled in art of power systems and backup or
emergency power systems.
[0123] The EPSS testing solutions disclosed herein can
advantageously combine load test and exhaust gas temperature
evaluations using a logical AND and a logical OR. In other words,
the user of the computing device 204 can select whether to evaluate
an EPS system using load percentage only (logical OR), exhaust gas
temperature only (logical OR), or both load percentage and exhaust
gas temperature (logical AND). The load percentage is a percentage
of a nameplate rating (usually expressed in kW or kVA) specified by
the manufacturer of the engine of a genset 110. For example, a 30%
load percentage of a 1000 kW genset 110 means that a 300 kW load is
consuming energy produced by the genset 110.
[0124] The EPSS testing solutions disclosed herein can
advantageously vary the transfer time requirements according to
different priority levels, such as priority levels defined for
non-critical equipment, life safety equipment, or critical
equipment, for example.
[0125] The EPSS testing solutions disclosed herein can
advantageously utilize variable load banks to test an EPS system
that cannot be tested using the actual loads of the facility in
which the EPS system is installed. While it is known to use load
banks for such testing, the EPSS testing solutions disclosed herein
can automatically vary the load banks to suit a particular
legislated criteria, such as defined by an applicable regulation
such as NFPA 99 or 110. Using variable loads can avoid or reduce
wet-stacking of the engine, for example, by allowing the load to be
sized in accordance with the engine's nameplate rating.
[0126] The EPSS testing solutions disclosed herein can
advantageously record, during a real loss of main utility power
102, the same data that would be recorded during an EPSS test to
evaluate the data as if undergoing a test of the EPSS.
[0127] The EPS systems disclosed herein include a reporting module,
which conventionally formats data into a report that can be
displayed or printed by the user of the computing device 204. The
reporting module can import information on similar EPSS
installations elsewhere, either in the facility or outside the
facility. The EPSS reporting module can compare manufacturer's
recommended data against operating parameters to benchmark other
installations and provide other details to the user, however it can
also retrieve data from other EPSS installations, either in the
facility or outside the facility as well. For example, the user of
the computing device 204 may want an EPSS report to benchmark
against similar installations (e.g., similar in size, equipment,
loading, etc.) or against installations in the same
business/facility entity (e.g., Campus #1 and Campus #2 which have
their own separate EPSS systems).
[0128] The failure (or passing) of the EPS system can generate
specific alarms and reports based on the needs of different users
of the facility or building in which the EPS system is installed.
For example, in a hospital building, if a switch to backup-power
fails the EPSS test and takes longer than required, an automated
alarm and report to the Nurses' stations would alert the nurses
that the risk to patients connected to critical machines may be
high. Also, CEOs and Hospital Administrators may wish a specific
report to highlight that their safety and liability may have been
impacted by an EPSS test failure and needs immediate attention, or
vice-versa that the multiple instances of an EPSS test passing
legislated criteria are consistent enough to warrant load-shedding
to generate cost savings. Other stakeholders who may be interested
in different levels of criticality are facility managers, doctors
or surgeons, or executive managers, for example. CEOs, hospital
administrators, and executive management may be concerned about
three main problems in their electrical distribution systems and
electrical equipment: reliability, traceability, and liability.
These stakeholders want to ensure that the hospital systems are
reliable to reduce any failures in the EPS system. They want to
record the events that lead up to any failure in case of a lawsuit
and to protect the hospital from liability. These stakeholders rely
on the facility manager of the hospital to ensure that the EPS
system is reliable and that appropriate EPSS testing reports are
being created. Facility managers are concerned about meeting
regulatory and reporting requirements around the hospital schedule
with minimal disruption. Doctors and surgeons must have a reliable
and stable supply of power in the operating room for
life-sustaining equipment such as ventilators.
[0129] Based on the type of failure of the EPSS, the reporting
module can also provide a level of criticality of the failure by
highlighting whether the failure needs immediate action or can be
monitored until fixed during the next schedule maintenance period.
For example, consider the following two cases: Consider in one
example that the EPSS failure is due to one characteristic of the
generator failing, such as EPSS transfer time, which over a
specified time period (e.g., one year) the EPSS test notes has been
trending slowly upwards and has finally reached a failure mode in
its ability to meet the legislated transfer time criteria. In this
example, the failure may be tagged by the EPSS as "non-critical"
and routine maintenance may solve the problem. In a second example,
suppose the EPSS failure is based on a characteristic of the
generator failing, which over time is seen as a sudden spike in the
failed value. This type of generator failure over time can be
tagged by the EPSS as "critical" for immediate investigation into
the failure. The user can apply logic analysis to adjust the strict
pass/fail report to give an assessment on the criticality of the
actual pass/failure. In other words, the EPSS can automatically
assign different priorities to different types of failures and
report accordingly.
[0130] While testing the EPSS, the reporting module can also be
used to conduct "what-if" analyses to compare test results against
alternate proper operating parameters of an EPS system that would
pass one or more legislated test criteria. Because the EPSS can
receive device-specific information such as nameplate ratings and
manufacturer's recommended limits, the reporting module can run a
virtual EPSS report using new device-specific information. This
"what-if" analysis can be used where an EPSS test has been
evaluated and reports a failure. By engaging in the what-if
analysis, the user of the computing device 204 can determine
whether the EPSS test would pass the legislated test criterion if
new capital equipment were installed, or a component of the EPSS
were upgraded. This ability to run virtual EPSS tests using
different device-specific information provides the user the ability
to easily and quickly create a business case for a capital-cost
project, based on the failed EPSS testing.
[0131] The EPSS testing solutions disclosed herein can be carried
out by one or more algorithms executed by the computing device 204,
for example. Any of the algorithms or methods disclosed herein can
be implemented by the simplified automated EPSS test configuration
200 shown in FIG. 2, or by any of the example configurations 300,
300', 300'' shown in FIGS. 3A-3C. A first EPSS testing algorithm
400 is shown in FIG. 4. The EPSS may be the EPSS 200 shown in FIG.
2, and supplies alternate power to an electrical system, such as
the electrical system 100, in the event of a disruption of power
from a main utility power source, such as the normal power source
102, which normally supplies power to the electrical system 100.
The algorithm 400 receives, over a communications network, such as
the communications network 202, operational status information
(e.g., the engine is running, the engine has started, or the engine
has stopped) about a change of an operational status of an
alternate power source 110 (402). The alternate power source 110
can be an engine-generator (also called a genset) having an engine.
The engine conventionally has a nameplate rating specified by the
manufacturer of the engine. The algorithm 400 stores the
operational status information with a corresponding timestamp
indicating when the change of the operational status occurred
(404). As used herein, it should be understood that the computing
device 204 or the database 206 or both can receive data that is
said to be received by any algorithm disclosed herein. Those
skilled in the art will appreciate that the phrase "the algorithm
receives" or "the algorithm stores" refers to a receiving or
storing function, but that the data being received or stored can be
physically received or stored on the computing device 204 and/or
the database 206 and/or an external server. Likewise, it is
understood that the phrase "the algorithm instructs" can be carried
out by a controller executing the algorithm or controlled by or
under the control of the algorithm, which controller in turn
communicates the specified instruction.
[0132] The algorithm 400 receives, over the network 202, and stores
electrical parameter data associated with the alternate power
source 110 and measured by an intelligent electronic device, such
as the monitoring device 212 or any of the monitoring devices 308,
which measures a characteristic of power (e.g., current and/or
voltage) generated by the alternate power source 110. The
monitoring device 212, 308 that monitors the alternate power source
transforms the measured characteristic into the electrical
parameter data (e.g., power data) for communication over the
network 202 (406). The algorithm 400 receives, over the network
202, engine parameter data associated with the alternate power
source 110 (408). The engine parameter data can include exhaust
temperature data indicative of an exhaust temperature of the engine
of the genset 110 as measured by the temperature sensor 214. The
algorithm 400 receives, over the network 202, status information
indicating a status (e.g., test, emergency, or normal) of an
automatic transfer switch 208 configured to switch power between
the main utility power source 102 and the alternate power source
110 (410).
[0133] The algorithm 400 instructs, over the network 202, the ATS
208 to switch the status from a normal status to a test status to
initiate a test of the EPSS 200, 300, 300', 300'' by temporarily
connecting the electrical system 100 to the alternate power source
110 for a predetermined period of time (412), such as determined by
a legislated test criterion, for example, for 30 minutes. The
algorithm 400 evaluates a result of the test based on at least the
engine parameter data (414) and optionally the load percentage of
the engine nameplate rating.
[0134] An evaluation, in some aspects disclosed herein, entails a
comparison of data measured or produced during the test against a
criterion, such as a legislated test criterion as disclosed herein.
The test produces results, which generally refers to parameter data
captured, measured, or produced during the test. The evaluation
uses the results to determine an outcome of the test, and the
outcome can be a pass or a fail, for example. The data that
comprises the test result depend on what parameters were used by
the test. For example, in the case of exhaust gas temperature, the
test result includes exhaust temperature values measured by the
temperature sensor 214. In the case of electrical parameter data,
the test result includes load percentage values calculated from the
current or voltage measured by the monitoring device during the
test period. In the case of measuring a transfer time, the test
result includes a time value, such as 10 seconds, corresponding to
the amount of time that elapsed between instructing the ATS to
switch to a test status to receiving a confirmation that the engine
has started running.
[0135] Returning to FIG. 4, the evaluation includes determining
whether the engine parameter data, such as the engine exhaust
temperature, satisfies a legislated test criterion specified for
the engine exhaust temperature. The algorithm 400 displays an
indication of an outcome (e.g., pass or fail) the result of the
test (416). For example, if the engine exhaust temperature does not
satisfy the legislated test criterion specified for that parameter,
the algorithm 400 reports that the test failed. On the other hand,
if the engine exhaust temperature satisfies the applicable
legislated test criterion, the algorithm 400 reports that the test
passed. Of course, if other criteria are taken into account in
evaluating the result of the test, such as load percentage data
associated with the electrical parameter data, the algorithm 400
determines whether these additional parameters satisfy the
applicable legislated test criteria. When the load percentage of
the nameplate rating of the engine of the genset 110 is also
included in the test evaluation, the algorithm 400 calculates the
load percentage from the electrical parameter data (e.g., power)
during the test.
[0136] For example, a legislated test criteria may specify that an
EPSS test must support a minimum load percentage of 30% of the
engine's nameplate rating for thirty minutes, and maintain a
minimum exhaust temperature of 800.degree. F. The operational
status information is used to verify that the engine was running
during the legislated test period (in this example, thirty minutes,
which is also referred to as "engine runtime"). The status
information is used to verify that the engine is carrying the loads
during the test. The operational status information together with
the status information is used to calculate the transfer time
between the time the ATS is instructed to switch to the test status
to the time that the engine reports its status as running.
[0137] FIG. 5 illustrates an algorithm 500 that allows the user to
test an EPSS using either load percentage or exhaust temperature or
both. The algorithm 500 automatically tests the EPSS 200, 300,
300', 300'' by receiving, over a network 202, operational status
information about a change of an operational status of an alternate
power source 110 (e.g., an engine-generator or genset) having an
engine with a nameplate rating (502). The algorithm 500 stores the
operational status information with a corresponding timestamp
indicating when the change of the operational status occurred
(504). The algorithm 500 receives, over the network 202, and stores
electrical parameter data associated with the alternate power
source 110 and measured by an intelligent electronic device 212,
308 that measures a characteristic of power generated by the
alternate power source 110 and that transforms the measured
characteristic into the electrical parameter data for communication
over the network 202 (506). The algorithm 500 receives, over the
network 202, engine parameter data associated with the alternate
power source 110 (508). The algorithm 500 receives, over the
network 202, status information indicating a status of an automatic
transfer switch 208 (FIGS. 2, 3A, 3B, or 3C) configured to switch
power between the main utility power source 102 and the alternate
power source 110 (510). The algorithm 500 receives a test parameter
selection indicating one or more parameters to be used in testing
the EPSS (512). The algorithm 500 instructs, over the network 202,
the automatic transfer switch 208 to switch from a normal mode to a
test mode to initiate a test of the EPSS 200 by temporarily
connecting the electrical system 100 to the alternate power source
110 for a predetermined period of time (514).
[0138] The algorithm 500 determines whether the test parameter
selection indicates that the electrical parameter data is to be
used in testing the EPSS (516). If so, the algorithm 500 evaluates
a result of the test based on at least the electrical parameter
data (518) and determines a percentage of a load of the electrical
system 100 relative to the nameplate rating of the engine of the
genset 110. The algorithm 500 determines whether the test parameter
selection indicates that the engine parameter data is to be used in
testing the EPSS (520). If so, the algorithm 500 evaluates a result
of the test based on at least the engine parameter data (522). The
algorithm 500 determines whether the test parameter selection
indicates that both the electrical parameter data and the engine
parameter data are to be used in testing the EPSS 200 (524). If so,
the algorithm 500 evaluates a result of the test based on at least
the electrical parameter data and the engine parameter data (526).
Once the algorithm 500 has completed evaluating the test result, an
indication of an outcome the test result is displayed (528). Note
that decision blocks 516, 520, 524 can be performed in any order or
simultaneously. The outcome of the test result can include a pass
indicating that a legislated test criterion is satisfied and a fail
indicating that the legislated test criterion is not satisfied. As
mentioned above, the legislated test criterion can be determined by
a requirement set forth in a code or a standard of the National
Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the Health Technical Memorandum
(HTM), the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), the Australian/New
Zealand Standard (AS/NZS), the International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC), or any other jurisdictional or governmental
entity that promulgates codes or standards applicable to power
systems.
[0139] FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of an algorithm 600 that
allows the user to vary the transfer time requirements as a
function of different priority levels. The transfer time is a
function of how much time it takes for the ATS 208 to be instructed
to switch to a test status, verify that the ATS 208 has switch to
the test status, to instruct the generator to switch its status
from stopped to started, and for the generator 110 to report that
its operational status has changed from started to running.
Transfer time is a legislated test criterion, which can be
specified in any applicable code, standard, or regulation mentioned
herein.
[0140] The algorithm 600 receives, over a network 202, operational
status information about a change of an operational status of an
alternate power source 110, such as an engine-generator or genset
(602). The algorithm 600 stores the operational status information
with a corresponding timestamp indicating when the change of the
operational status occurred (604). The algorithm 600 receives, over
the network 202, and stores electrical parameter data associated
with the alternate power source 110 and measured by an intelligent
electronic device 212, 308 that measures a characteristic of power
generated by the alternate power source 110 and that transforms the
measured characteristic into the electrical parameter data for
communication over the network 202 (606). Optionally, the algorithm
600 can receive, over the network 202, engine parameter data
associated with the alternate power source 110 (608). The engine
parameter data can include exhaust temperature data indicative of
an exhaust temperature of the engine of the genset 110.
[0141] The algorithm 600 receives, over the network 202, status
information indicating a status of an ATS 208 configured to switch
power between the main utility power source 102 and the alternate
power source 110 (610). The algorithm 600 measures a transfer time
that includes the amount of time that elapsed for the ATS 208 to
switch from a normal status to a test status or an emergency status
(612). The transfer time can further include the amount of time
that elapsed for the genset 110 to report to the monitoring device
212, 308 that its status is running.
[0142] The algorithm 600 determines a priority level from among
different priority levels associated with the electrical system 100
undergoing the test of the EPSS (614). The algorithm 600 associates
each of the different priority levels with different predetermined
transfer times (616). The algorithm 600 determines whether the
measured transfer time exceeded the predetermined transfer time
associated with the determined priority level (618). If so, the
algorithm 600 displays an alarm indicating that the measured
transfer time exceeds the predetermined transfer time (626).
Optionally, if the algorithm 600 received engine parameter data at
block 608, the algorithm 600 can further instruct, over the network
202, the ATS 208 to switch to a test status and initiate a test of
the EPSS (620), evaluate a result of the test based on the received
engine parameter data (622), and display the test result outcome
(e.g., pass or fail) (624).
[0143] The different priority levels can include a low priority
level associated with non-critical electrical equipment in a
hospital powered by the electrical system 100, a medium priority
level associated with safety electrical equipment in the hospital,
and a high priority level associated with critical electrical
equipment in the hospital.
[0144] FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of an algorithm 700 that
allows the user to test the EPSS using variable load bank stages.
The algorithm receives, over the network 202, and stores electrical
parameter data associated with the alternate power source 110 and
measured by an intelligent electronic device 212, 308 that measures
a characteristic of power generated by the alternate power source
110 and that transforms the measured characteristic into the
electrical parameter data for communication over the network 202
(702). Optionally, the algorithm 700 also receives, over the
network 202, engine parameter data (e.g., exhaust temperature data)
associated with the alternate power source 110 (704). The algorithm
700 receives, over the network 202, status information indicating a
status of an ATS 208 configured to switch power between the main
utility power source 102 and the alternate power source 110 (706).
The algorithm 700 receives a first indication of a first amount of
a load of a variable load bank to consume energy produced by the
alternate power source 110 (e.g., expressed as a percentage of a
maximum load of the variable load bank) (708).
[0145] The algorithm 700 instructs, over the network 202, the ATS
208 to switch the status from a normal status to a test status to
initiate a first test of the EPSS 200 by temporarily connecting the
first load amount of the variable load bank to the alternate power
source 110 for a predetermined period of time (710). The algorithm
700 evaluates a first result of the first test based on at least
the electrical parameter data (712) and optionally the engine
parameter data. The algorithm 700 displays an indication of the
first result of the first test (714) and receives a second
indication of a second load amount of the load of the variable load
bank (e.g., expressed as a percentage of a maximum load of the
variable load bank) (716). The algorithm 700 instructs the ATS 208
to switch the status from the normal status to the test status to
initiate a second test of the EPSS 200 by temporarily connecting
the second load amount of the variable load bank to the alternate
power source 110 (718). The algorithm 700 evaluates a second result
of the second test based on at least the electrical parameter data
(720) and displays an indication of the second result of the second
test (722).
[0146] FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram of an algorithm 800 that
records the same type of data recorded during an EPSS test as
during a real loss of utility power 102. The algorithm 800
determines whether a loss of power from the main utility power
source 102 has occurred (802). If so, the algorithm 800 receives
operational status information about a change of an operational
status of an alternate power source 110 (804). The algorithm 800
stores the operational status information with a corresponding
timestamp indicating when the change of the operational status
occurred (806) and also stores electrical parameter data associated
with the alternate power source 110 and measured by an intelligent
electronic device 212, 308 that measures a characteristic of power
generated by the alternate power source 110 and that transforms the
measured characteristic into the electrical parameter data for
communication over the network 202 (808). Optionally, when the
algorithm 800 receives engine parameter data, the algorithm 800
stores engine parameter data, such as exhaust temperature data
indicative of the exhaust temperature of an engine of the alternate
power source 110 (810). The algorithm 800 stores status information
indicating a status of an ATS switch 208 configured to switch power
between the main utility power source 102 and the alternate power
source 110 (812). The algorithm 800 evaluates, based on the stored
electrical parameter data and optionally the engine parameter data,
whether the EPSS 200, 300, 300', 300'' would have passed one or
more legislated test criteria, which again, can be determined by a
requirement set forth in a code or a standard of the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA), the Health Technical Memorandum
(HTM), the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), the Australian/New
Zealand Standard (AS/NZS), the International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC), or any other applicable jurisdictional or
governmental body or regulatory entity. Optionally, the algorithm
800 can further communicate an alarm indicating that the EPSS 200,
300, 300', 300'' would have failed the legislated test criterion,
along with information about the failure (e.g., the electrical
parameter data and/or engine parameter data would not have passed
the corresponding legislated test criteria and the associated
values that resulted in the conclusion of a failure). These alarms
can be communicated, for example, by email, SMS text, via HTTP, and
the like.
[0147] FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate a flow diagram of an algorithm 900
that automatically carries out a test of an EPS system that
supplies alternate power to a first installation based on an
external operating parameter, which is independent from any
real-time operational and parameter data associated with the EPS
system of the first installation. The algorithm 900 determines
whether a loss of power from the normal power source 102 has been
detected (902). If so, the algorithm 900 determines whether an
alternate power source 110 of the first installation is supplying
power to the electrical system of the first installation (904).
FIG. 1 illustrates an electrical system 100 associated with a first
installation. This algorithm 900 works with multiple installations
(not shown), but each of which would represent the electrical
system 100 or the EPSS 200 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A first
installation, for example, can be a first hospital or building
located in one geographic location, while a second installation can
be another hospital or building located in another geographic
location distinct from the geographic location of the first
hospital.
[0148] The algorithm 900 receives, over a network 202, and stores
real-time operational and parameter data associated with the EPS
system of the first installation (906), such as the EPSS 200 shown
in FIG. 2. The operational and parameter data includes (a)
operational status information about a change of an operational
status of the alternate power source 110 of the first installation,
(b) electrical parameter data associated with the alternate power
source 110 and measured by an intelligent electronic device 212,
308 that measures a characteristic of power (e.g., a waveform
capture of current and/or voltage) generated by the alternate power
source 110 and that transforms the measured characteristic into the
electrical parameter data for communication over the network 202,
and (c) status information indicating a status of an automatic
transfer switch 308 configured to switch power between the main
utility power source and the alternate power source 110 of the
first installation.
[0149] The algorithm 900 receives an external operating parameter
that is independent from any real-time operational and parameter
data associated with the EPS system of the first installation
(908). The algorithm 900 determines whether the external operating
parameter includes operational and parameter data associated with a
second EPS system of a second installation that is distinct from
the first installation (910). The second installation has a second
alternate power source, such as an engine-generator or genset like
the alternate power source 110 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The
operational and parameter data associated with the second
installation include (a) second operational status information
about a change of an operational status of the second alternate
power source of the second installation, (b) second electrical
parameter data associated with the second alternate power source
and measured by a second IED that measures a characteristic of
power generated by the second alternate power source and that
transforms the measured characteristic into the second electrical
parameter data for communication over a network, which can be the
network 202 or another network to which the network 202 is coupled,
and (c) second status information indicating a status of a second
automatic transfer switch configured to switch power between the
main utility power source and the second alternate power source of
the second installation. The algorithm 900 automatically generates
a report based on the external operating parameter by benchmarking
the operational and parameter data associated with the first
installation against the operational and parameter data associated
with the second installation and displays a comparison of the
benchmarking (912).
[0150] The algorithm 900 determines whether the external operating
parameter includes two or more different report criteria associated
with different users of the first installation (914). If so, the
algorithm 900 automatically generates a first report reporting a
first impact (e.g., patient safety) based on a report criterion
associated with a first user (e.g., a medical care provider) of the
first installation, such as a hospital (916). The algorithm 900
automatically generates a second report reporting a second impact
(e.g., energy-consumption costs or potential legal liability) based
on the report criterion associated with a second user (e.g.,
hospital administrator or manager) of the hospital (918). The first
and second reports each report different impacts on the hospital.
The algorithm 900 determines whether the EPS system passes (920) a
legislated test criterion as described above. If so, the algorithm
922 includes in the report a recommendation to shed a load or loads
in the first electrical system to generate savings in the
energy-consumption costs of the hospital (922). If the EPS system
fails, the algorithm 900 can report an impact on potential legal
liability of the hospital due to a failure of the EPS system.
[0151] The algorithm 900 determines whether the external operating
parameter includes a hypothetical set of operational and parameter
data (e.g., nameplate rating and/or recommended limits) associated
with a new alternate power source (924). If so, the algorithm 900
evaluates the stored operational and parameter data to test a
health of the alternate power source to produce a test result
indicating the health of the alternate power source (926). The
algorithm 900 determines whether the test result would change if
the new alternate power source were installed by evaluating the
hypothetical set of operational and parameter data to test the
health of the new alternate power source (928). The algorithm 900
includes in the report an indication as to whether changing to the
new alternate power source would change the test result (930).
[0152] FIG. 10 illustrates a flow diagram of an algorithm 1000 that
reports the criticality of the EPSS failure. The algorithm 1000
needs to wait until multiple occurrences have occurred of the power
supplied to the electrical system being switched by an ATS 208 from
the main utility power source 102 to the alternate power source
110. The algorithm 1000 determines whether power supplied to the
electrical system 100 has been switched by an ATS 208 from a main
utility power source 102 to an alternate power source 110 (1002).
If so, the algorithm 1000 receives, over a network 202, and stores
(such as in the computing device 204 and/or the database 206) a set
of operational and parameter data associated with the EPS system of
the electrical system 100 during each of the occurrences to produce
multiple sets of operational and parameter data (1004). The
operational and parameter data include (a) operational status
information about a change of an operational status of the
alternate power source 110, (b) electrical parameter data
associated with the alternate power source 110 and measured by an
intelligent electronic device 212, 308 that measures a
characteristic of power generated by the alternate power source 110
and that transforms the measured characteristic into the electrical
parameter data for communication over the network 202, and (c)
status information indicating a status of an automatic transfer
switch 208 configured to switch power between the main utility
power source 102 and the alternate power source 110.
[0153] The algorithm 1000 determines whether a sufficient number of
data sets (at least two) have been stored for trending analysis
(1006). If so, the algorithm 1000 evaluates the sets of operational
and parameter data to identify at least one characteristic of the
alternate power source that is deteriorating over an evaluation
time period that includes the time period between the first
switching occurrence and a most recent switching occurrence (1008).
The algorithm 1000 assigns a failure priority (e.g., non-critical
or critical) to the deteriorating characteristic (1010). The
algorithm 1000 determines whether the assigned priority is
non-critical (1012). If so, the algorithm 1000 automatically
generates a non-critical report that indicates the failure priority
(e.g., non-critical) and the deteriorating characteristic (e.g.,
that the transfer time is trending upwards over an evaluation
period) (1014). The algorithm 1000 determines whether the assigned
failure priority is critical (1016). If so, the algorithm 1000
automatically generates a critical report that indicates that a
rate of change of the characteristic exceeds a threshold
(1018).
[0154] The characteristic can include a transfer time representing
a time period that elapses between a start time when an instruction
(such as from the computing device 204) communicated to the
automatic transfer switch 208 and an end time when the automatic
transfer switch 208 switches power from the main utility power
source 102 to the alternate power source 110. The algorithm 1000
can evaluate whether the transfer time is deteriorating over time
by trending upwards or whether a rate of change of the
characteristic over the evaluation time period exceeds a
predetermined value such that the deterioration of the
characteristic appears to spike over the evaluation time period. A
sudden spike in the electrical parameter data (e.g., the load
percentage or the engine exhaust temperature) can reveal a critical
problem with the EPSS, warranting immediate attention, whereas a
transfer time that is slowly trending upwards is not as critical,
but should require attention soon.
[0155] FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate exemplary screen shots 1100, 1102,
1104 of a display on the computing device 204 for configuring the
EPSS 200 for conducting the automatic testing solutions disclosed
herein. In this utility, the user of the computing device 204 can
create a report group 1110 that is associated with a generator
1112, such as the genset 110, and at least one ATS 1114, such as
the ATS 208. The user can label each generator and ATS in this
configuration utility. The user inputs a report group name in the
report group name input area 1116, selects one or more generators
to associate with the inputted report group in the generator
selection area 1118, and selects one or more ATS switches to
associate with the inputted report group in the ATS switch
selection area 1120.
[0156] In FIG. 11B, the user of the computing device 204 can
configure the transfer switches in the EPSS 200, 300, 300', 300''.
The user of the computing device 204 can configure a priority level
by clicking on the priority level selection button 1130, which
allows the user to associate different priority levels with
different transfer times, such as described above in connection
with the algorithm 600. The priority levels can be assigned in the
ATS switch configuration area 1132 described below. As shown in
FIG. 11B, the user can configure the name of the ATS switch 208, a
description of the ATS switch 208, a source of the ATS switch 208,
the assigned priority level associated with the ATS switch 208
(e.g., critical or life safety), and a required transfer time as
indicated by a legislated test criterion. In this example, the
required transfer time is ten seconds. In the ATS switch
configuration area 1132, the user can configure the unique name of
the ATS switch 208, its description, priority level (in this
example, the priority level is assigned as critical), and the
required transfer time.
[0157] In the status measurements area 1134 of this transfer switch
configuration screen 1102, the user can select the source (e.g., a
monitoring device 308) where the ATS switch 208 status information
and parameter data are recorded. For each ATS status (e.g., normal,
test, and emergency), the user can select the digital input on the
monitoring device that will receive information indicative of each
ATS status. The user can also select in a power outage monitoring
selection area 1134 whether the selected ATS should monitor for a
power outage of the normal power source 102. As disclosed above,
the EPSS testing solutions herein can also capture electrical and
engine parameter data during a real loss of power from the normal
power source 102. When this option is selected, the EPSS 200 can
also record, during a real loss of power, the same electrical and
engine parameter data that would be recorded during a test of the
EPSS 200.
[0158] In FIG. 11C, the user of the computing device 204 can
configure the generators 110 in the EPSS 200, 300, 300', 300''. In
a generator editing area 1140, the user can input a unique name for
the generator being configured 1142, a text description of that
generator 1144, a source of the electrical parameter data received
from the generator 1146, a maximum power load specified on the
generator's nameplate rating 1148, the units (e.g., kW or kVA) of
the nameplate rating 1150, and the source where the exhaust
temperature data is recorded 1152, such as the address associated
with the monitoring device 212. In an evaluation method selection
area 1154, the user can input the desired evaluation method, which
here can be load (percentage) only, exhaust temperature only, or
both load percentage AND exhaust temperature, or load percentage OR
exhaust temperature. In this example, the user has selected to use
load only as the evaluation method for the EPSS test. The
capitalized AND and OR indicate logical operators. In an engine
measurement selection area 1156, the user can assign engine data to
be recorded, such as coolant temperature of the engine of the
genset 110, for example. In a status measurements selection area
1158, for each source of the data (e.g., status information) for
the selected generator, the user inputs the digital inputs of the
monitoring device 212 that receive the corresponding status inputs
from the genset 110, such as the input that receives an indication
that the genset 110 is starting, running, or stopped.
[0159] FIGS. 12A and 12B are example reports 1200, 1202, which can
be printed or displayed on a video display of the computing device
204. These reports show the results of an EPSS test carried out by
any of the algorithms or methods disclosed herein. For example,
FIG. 12A is an exemplary report 1200 that shows a generator load
summary. The summary includes a load plot 1212 of the load values
in kVA and kW over the test period, which in this example lasted 44
minutes. The load plot 1212 is compared against a threshold 1210
over the test period, and if the load values 1212 exceed the
threshold 1210 over the legislated run duration period, which in
this example is 30 minutes, the EPSS reports that the result of the
test is a PASS. The report identifies the nameplate rating of the
genset engine as 1000 kW, and that the threshold corresponds to 30%
of the nameplate rating, or 300 kW in this example. As long as the
measured load exceeds 300 kW over the legislated run duration, the
EPSS test result is deemed to have passed. The report 1200 also
includes the minimum, average, and maximum measurements for the
longest continuous load for various measurements of electrical
parameter data, including active power, apparent power, current on
each of three phases A, B, C, and voltages across each of the
phases relative to each other and neutral (N), along with the
corresponding units of measurement. This report 1200 may be
generated by the algorithm 500, for example, in response to the
user selecting that electrical parameter data be used in block 516
or 524.
[0160] FIG. 12B is an exhaust temperature summary report 1202
showing a plot 1202 of exhaust temperature values plotted across an
EPSS test period and measured against a threshold 1222 or minimum
exhaust gas temperature (EGT), which in this example is 800.degree.
F. In this example, the legislated test criteria specify that the
EPSS test must continuously record exhaust gas temperatures that
exceed 800.degree. F. for at least 30 minutes. In this example, the
engine in the alternate power source features dual exhausts (a left
and a right one), so the temperature of both exhausts are measured
by corresponding temperature sensors, such as the temperature
sensor 214 (a second temperature sensor would record the
temperature produced by the other exhaust). The report 1202
includes a table showing the minimum, average, and maximum exhaust
temperature readings (for both left and right exhausts) over the
test period, which in this example was 55 minutes. The report 1202
indicates that the EPSS test result is a PASS because the exhaust
temperatures exceeded the minimum exhaust gas temperature threshold
for at least 30 minutes, the legislated test time duration. This
report 1202 may be generated by the algorithm 400 or the algorithm
500, for example, in response to the user selecting that engine
parameter data be used in block 520 or 524.
[0161] Although the algorithms described with reference to the
foregoing flow charts have been described separately, it should be
understood that any two or more of the algorithms 400-1000
disclosed herein can be combined in any combination. For example,
the algorithms 400 and 800 and optionally 900 can be combined
together, or the algorithms 500 and 800 and optionally 900 can be
combined together, or the algorithms 600 and 800 and optionally 900
can be combined together, or the algorithms 700 and 800 and
optionally 900 can be combined together, or the algorithms 1000 and
800 and optionally 900 can be combined together, etc. The present
disclosure explicitly contemplates any other combination of two or
more of the algorithms 400-1000.
[0162] Any of the methods described herein can include machine
readable instructions for execution by: (a) a processor, (b) a
controller, and/or (c) any other suitable processing device. It
will be readily understood that the IEDs 120a-e, the server 110,
and/or the computer 140 can include such a suitable processing
device. Any algorithm, software, or method disclosed herein can be
embodied in software stored on a non-transitory tangible medium
such as, for example, a flash memory, a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a
hard drive, a digital versatile disk (DVD), or other memory
devices, but persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily
appreciate that the entire algorithm and/or parts thereof could
alternatively be executed by a device other than a controller
and/or embodied in firmware or dedicated hardware in a well known
manner (e.g., it may be implemented by an application specific
integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), a
field programmable logic device (FPLD), discrete logic, etc.).
Also, some or all of the machine readable instructions represented
in any flowchart depicted herein may be implemented manually.
Further, although specific algorithms are described with reference
to flowcharts depicted herein, persons of ordinary skill in the art
will readily appreciate that many other methods of implementing the
example machine readable instructions may alternatively be used.
For example, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed,
and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, or
combined.
[0163] It should be noted that the algorithms illustrated and
discussed herein as having various modules which perform particular
functions and interact with one another. It should be understood
that these modules are merely segregated based on their function
for the sake of description and represent computer hardware and/or
executable software code which is stored on a computer-readable
medium for execution on appropriate computing hardware. The various
functions of the different modules and units can be combined or
segregated as hardware and/or software stored on a non-transitory
computer-readable medium as above as modules in any manner, and can
be used separately or in combination.
[0164] Hospital CEOs, administrators and executive management are
most concerned about reliability, traceability, and liability, and
emergency power supply systems can appropriately manage these
concerns. Unfortunately, the reliability of the diesel generators
commonly used for backup power can be compromised if they are
operated outside of their intended operating range, and
consequently, may fail to operate or start when needed in case of a
utility power failure. To avoid an EPSS failure, diesel engines
used for emergency backup power in hospitals should be tested and
exercised at regular intervals within the parameters dictated by
regulatory bodies and engine manufacturers. However traditional
manual test procedures have been shown to be error prone,
time-consuming and inefficient from a staffing perspective. By
installing an electronic system that continuously monitors and
records EPSS-related parameters, it is easy to prove regulatory
compliance, and have precise electronic records available for
traceability and troubleshooting in case of an unanticipated
failure. In addition, electronic records can be used for long-term
EPSS trend analysis. Subtle long-term trends in parameters such as
ATS transfer-times, differential fuel pressure, engine-start
battery voltage, etc. can be used as flags for required
maintenance.
[0165] Automated testing and monitoring helps point out problems
during testing rather than during an outage. As such, the system's
overall mean time between failures (MTBF) can be improved, giving
patients, staff and administrators peace of mind, so they can rest
assured that the EPS system is ready to power the hospital whenever
required.
[0166] Any of the EPSS reports herein can be combined with the
patient's digital medical records such that a full understanding
can be obtained on the electrical infrastructure and on the events
that occurred while a patient was in care. For example, if a
patient relies on a ventilator, an EPSS test report generated
herein can verify that no impact on the operation of the ventilator
occurred on that patient during testing of the EPSS. This
information can be helpful in avoiding potential liability issues,
for example.
[0167] While particular aspects, embodiments, and applications of
the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, it is
to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the
precise construction and compositions disclosed herein and that
various modifications, changes, and variations may be apparent from
the foregoing descriptions without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *